1. Introductions. Will discuss Rotary as an international organization and a local club.

2. Rotary is a community of 1
Rotary is a community of 1.2 million men and women from all continents, cultures, professions, and experiences who connect through more than 35 thousand clubs in 200+ countries.

3. Rotarians are people of action, driven by a desire to create opportunities, strengthen communities, and find solutions to the tough challenges that affect people around the world.

4. Rotary clubs tackle projects of every scale and inspire fellow Rotarians, friends, neighbors, and partners to share their visions, exchange ideas for lasting solutions, and take action to bring those ideas to life.

5. “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” —Paul Harris
Founded 1905 by Chicago Attorney Paul Harris with the goal of getting professionals together to exchange ideas, form friendships, and give back to the community. The name “Rotary” came from the practice of rotating meetings among the offices of the club’s members. Within 16 years, there were clubs on six continents.
During World War II, Rotary clubs in Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally, and after the war, Rotary members came together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.
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6. At the 1917 convention, outgoing Rotary president Arch Klumph proposed setting up an endowment “for the purpose of doing good in the world.” That one idea, and an initial contribution of $26.50, created the Rotary Foundation. Over its 100 years, the foundation has spent over $3 billion on a wide variety of projects. The Rotary Foundation has earned Charity Navigator’s highest rating, spending 91% of funds directly on programs.

7. OUR CAUSES Promoting peace Fighting disease Providing sanitation
Rotary’s service efforts are divided into six categories. At the international level, there are 26 Rotary Action Groups, each focusing on a particular subject.
Saving mothers and children
Supporting
education
Growing local economies

8. The eradication of polio is Rotary’s headline effort
The eradication of polio is Rotary’s headline effort. Along with our partners, we have worked since 1979 to immunize more than 2.5 billion children against polio in 122 countries saw only 22 cases in two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan—down from 350,000 cases per year in the 1980s. At last year’s international convention in Atlanta, the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation pledged $450 million and other governments and major donors together pledged another $1.2 billion.

9. Rotary isn’t all business, though
Rotary isn’t all business, though. Fellowship--making and keeping new friends--is another goal of Rotary. Through local club meetings, district conventions, and the international convention, our people of action come together to strengthen their connections to friends and neighbors and their commitment to improving lives.

10. Speaking of the international convention, last year’s event was held in Atlanta, and several of us took the opportunity. Not that we would object to a trip to Seoul, Rio, Sydney, or any of the other recent locations, but Atlanta was more practical. Over 40,000 Rotarians attended general and breakout sessions that included speakers such as Bill Gates, Andrew Young, John Cena, and Ashton Kutcher.

11. Rotary also includes a component for youth
Rotary also includes a component for youth. Nearly 500,000 middle and high school students belong to over 20,000 interact clubs (including one at CCHS), and 250,000 young adults belong to nearly 11,000 Rotoract clubs are for young adults.

12. Enough about “big Rotary”. Let’s talk about our local club
Enough about “big Rotary”. Let’s talk about our local club. And actually, there are two local clubs, my Camden County club and the Kings Bay club.

13. Our club of about 35 members meets most Friday mornings at 7:30 at Missy’s Kitchen, where we enjoy a wonderful breakfast and hear from a guest speaker. It’s a chance to catch up with new friends and to learn about community organizations, issues, and events. Like all Rotary clubs, we have no political or religious affiliation and are open to any adult who believes in the Rotary motto, “Service before self.”

14. SERVICE
Service to our local community is a big part of our club.

15. FELLOWSHIP
We also like to have fun outside of meetings.

16. GRSP is one of our major projects.

17. Our big fundraiser is the duck race
Our big fundraiser is the duck race. Proceeds support GRSP, scholarships, contributions to RI, grants to local organizations.

18. www.camdencountyrotary.org www.rotary.org (personal story)
The important thing is not which club you join or whether you join any service organization but whether you live your life in a way that makes a difference to others.