ABOUT OUR ROTARY CLUB

Rotary International is a non religious and apolitical organisation represented in over 200 countries worldwide and has 1.4 million members. Each of the 46000 Clubs contribute to the Rotary Foundation, which is the largest charity in the world and which most people haven't heard of. Over many years the Foundation has promoted End Polio Now worldwide and is not far off it's target of eradicating this dreadful disease. The contribution varies from Club to Club and in our case it is around £2500 annually. Each year we aim to raise about £35000 meaning most of it goes to supporting local people and local voluntary organisations. Expenses are minimal. 

The Club is structured around committees : Membership Services, Community & Vocation, International and Fund Raising, Each month we have a business meeting where, amongst other things, we decide who we will support, and how. It is not always money, we have been known to clear gardens for people unable to do it themselves. We also stage a free New Year Concert for elderly folk and support the local Pop-In lunches. We have a 'can do' philosophy! 

Our income is derived principally from book selling every Saturday morning, all books are donated to us and run to over 1000 a month; but we also hold a monthly Film Night where we have audiences of up to 100, some of the elderly we collect and take home to give them perhaps their only night out each month; we run Boot Fairs every Bank Holiday Monday; we hold Christmas Collections outside supermarkets and collect and recycle Christmas trees each January. For local needy families, we provide up to 50 Christmas Sacks, the contents of which are tailored for each individual family. For this we raise over £5000 each year through our Christmas Sacks Appeal. On occasion we hold special collections to help with disaster relief and through our network of worldwide clubs we can get funds on site quickly and securely. 

Currently, we have a membership of 30, but over time this varies up and down by about 10%. We meet every Monday evening at the Roundabout Hotel in West Chiltington for a single course dinner which costs £14.50. We invite speakers quite often. 

Rotary works for us because it is based on fellowship and although regular attendance is not obligatory, getting to really know fellow members creates the atmosphere and drive which we are so proud of. We are not a stuffy Club but are a group of active like-minded people having a good time in helping those less fortunate than ourselves. 

To become a member, you have to be invited. If our Club appeals to you, the route in is to ask to attend a Club meeting on a Monday evening. Thereafter, should you still be interested you will need to attend 4 or 5 times to give a chance for existing members to know something of you: it also gives time for you to confirm that you feel you can contribute to the Club's aspirations. It will be the members who will invite you to join us. Incidentally, the first meal is on us and following meals will be at your cost. Naturally there is an annual membership fee is which is £120. 

Elsewhere on this website you will find out how to contact us. Give us a try, you might be surprised. We look forward to meeting you.