Different Types of Membership

Full Active Member

A full member would normally:

• Attend club meetings regularly (in person or online, depending on the club).
• Take part in community projects and fundraising events.
• Support local, national, and international Rotary causes.
• Help promote Rotary in the community.
• Take on roles or responsibilities within the club if willing (committee member, officer, president, etc.).

Rights of a Full Member

A full active member can:

• Vote on club decisions.
• Hold office within the club.
• Attend and visit other Rotary clubs worldwide.
• Access Rotary training and leadership opportunities.
• Take part in district and international Rotary events.

Financial Commitment

A full member usually pays:

• Club membership fees.
• District and Rotary International dues.
• Meal costs or meeting costs (Only if you wish to have a meal; this is not a stipulation of our club).

The Main Difference Compared to Other Types

• Full Active Member → Full involvement and voting rights.
• Corporate Member → Represents a business, with shared attendance flexibility.
• Direct/Flexible Member → Full member but with more flexible attendance.
• Friend of Rotary → Supports Rotary informally without full membership rights.

At its heart, a full active member is someone who joins Rotary to serve their community, enjoy fellowship, and actively help make a difference locally and internationally.

Direct Membership

• You become a full Rotary member linked to a club.
• You may attend meetings online, occasionally in person, or at flexible times rather than every week.
• The focus is often more on community service and projects than on formal meetings.
• You still pay membership fees, although structures can vary.
• You can attend Rotary events, socials, and service activities when available.

Benefits

• More flexible for busy people.
• Allows younger professionals or people with limited time to join Rotary.
• Helps clubs attract members who want to make a difference without weekly commitments.
• Members still gain the fellowship, networking, and opportunity to support local and international causes.

Corporate Membership

• A company, charity, school, or organisation joins a Rotary club.
• The business nominates a primary member/contact.
• Additional staff members may attend meetings, events, or projects as substitute representatives.
• Representatives can change if staff roles change.
• The organisation usually pays one membership fee package agreed with the club.

Benefits for the Business

• Builds stronger links with the local community.
• Gives staff opportunities for networking, leadership, and volunteering.
• Raises the company’s local profile through community involvement.
• Allows flexible attendance — different employees can attend if one person is unavailable.
• Supports staff development and corporate social responsibility (CSR).

Benefits for Rotary Clubs

• Attracts people who may not otherwise have time for traditional membership.
• Builds partnerships with local employers and organisations.
• Brings new skills, ideas, and community contacts into the club.

For example, a local estate agent, school, or engineering firm could join a Rotary club. One person might attend meetings most of the time, but another staff member could attend a project, fundraising event, or speaker evening if needed.

Friend of Rotary

• Want to help with community projects and events.
• Support Rotary’s aims but do not want the commitment of full membership.
• Have limited time due to work, family, or other commitments.
• Want to “try Rotary” before joining as a member.

How it Usually Works

A Friend of Rotary may:

• Volunteer at fundraising events and community projects.
• Attend some social events or selected meetings.
• Help with local initiatives or overseas projects.
• Support Rotary causes without regular attendance expectations.

They are not normally full Rotary members, which means they:

• Usually do not vote on club decisions.
• Do not hold Rotary office in the club.
• Are not required to pay full membership fees (some clubs may charge a small contribution or none at all).

Why Clubs Use Friends of Rotary

Many clubs use a Friends of Rotary scheme to:

• Involve people who are interested but not ready for full membership.
• Encourage younger people or busy professionals to participate.
• Build a wider team of volunteers for local good causes.
• Create a pathway to full Rotary membership later.

For example, someone may help at a charity tea shop, a community event, or a youth project several times a year and enjoy the fellowship, then later decide to join the club fully.

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Get in touch

There's always something going on in Rotary that will be of interest to you.

You may be looking to volunteer an hour or two occasionally or on a more regular but informal basis.  Alternatively, you may have an idea for a community project or would like to become involved with Rotary's international projects. Whatever your interest and amount of time available, please contact us at adrian.britvalleyrotary@gmail.com