What is Rotary all about?

What is Rotary all about? Some interesting facts and figures

By joining Rotary, your journey on the road to transforming communities begins

Rotary fulfils its purpose and achieves its goals thanks to the dedication of its membership.

Rotary is in the unique position of being rooted within its own communities, but with a global outlook - ready to tackle challenges at home and abroad.

Through membership of a local Rotary club, members will become part of a network of 1.2 million people, in 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries.

Rotarians are friends, neighbours, leaders and problem solvers - Rotarians are People of Action.

Who can join?

We are looking for people who want to give back to their communities.

Applicants must be aged 18 or over to become a Rotary member.

How do I join?

If you are interested in joining Rotary there are a number of options. Involvement in Rotary is flexible, ranging from full membership to project volunteering.

There are a number of ways to can join Rotary:

Join Rotary directly
Join an existing club in your local area
Form your own club
Corporate membership
Friend of Rotary and project volunteering

Rotary wants to make sure your experience is the best it can be and fits around your personal lifestyle. Rotary will ask you a few questions to understand what you’re looking for, before connecting you with members in your area, where you’ll have chance to try a few clubs to find your best fit.

What are the benefits?

Rotary brings together people from all walks of life. Getting involved with Rotary provides benefits to not only communities, but our members as well.

Social networking – Rotary is a great way to expand your social circles, meet new people and make lasting friendships, all while having fun and making a difference.

Develop your skills – You can share your personal and vocational skills, take up leadership roles, as well as learning from fellow members on activities such as project planning, communications and service delivery.

Enhance your understanding – Events such as the annual Rotary Showcase and the international Convention offer opportunities to be inspired by guest speakers and develop your global understanding.

Business opportunities – Rotary was founded as a business networking group, and this still plays a part in Rotary today. Making connections with other members can enhance your professional life.

Enjoy rewards – Rotary Global Rewards, our member benefits programme, offers discounts on products and services. It’s Rotary’s way of helping our members spend less so they can do more.

Work with leading organisations – Rotary’s reputation has allowed us to establish relationships with leading national and international charities, putting us at the forefront of change.

Be part of a global community – With 1.2 million members in 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries, Rotary is a global network of neighbours, friends and problem solvers making a difference in our communities.

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'What We Do' Main Pages:

Rotary York Ainsty is developing a project to bring medical aid to a remote region in Albania - in partnership with two other European Rotary Clubs

The remote and difficult to get to area of Fushë Arrëz in Albania

Rotary York Ainsty, working in cooperation with two other Rotary Clubs in different countries, is developing a project which will bring medical aid to a remote region of Albania - Fushë Arrëz.

Financial results of the Santa Sleigh visits in York and area in the run-up to Christmas 2023

Details of the RYA Santa Sleigh in York and area in the run-up to Christmas 2023

Annie Arkwright hands over another batch of SpecSort glasses to the Navajeevana Centre, Sri Lanka.

The highly-regarded SpecSort initiative - a flagship project of Rotary York Ainsty - is expanding its sphere of operation by delivering sorted and graded pre-owned glasses to more countries across the globe.

Hard at work at the York Minster Yorkits workshop 2023

Yorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians embark on a purple crocus planting campaign to mark World Polio Day on October 24 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York.

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians embark on a massive purple crocus planting campaign to mark World Polio Day on October 24 at the Folk Hall, New Earswick, York.

The main projects supported by Rotary York Ainsty as at March 2024...

A 'Signature' project for Rotary York Ainsty. Members collect glasses from opticians then sort and grade them, before taking to Africa. RUTH PEROTT awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's honours. Link: https://tinyurl.com/MBESpecSort

York optometrist Ruth Perrott was honoured with the award of an MBE in the Queen's New Year's 2021 list for her work in supporting visually impaired patients in Africa. She recently attended a ceremony where she received her award from Prince William.

Sow, Grow and Share is now an over-arching title which encompasses the various diverse initiatives including Rotary York Ainsty providing growing kits to produce fresh food for participants in the York locale.

A varied series of meetings with guest speakers, activities and projects.

Rotary York Ainsty has honoured York-based charities and individuals who partnered with Rotary to mitigate the effects of the Covid-10 Pandemic on the communities in York and district

Rotary York Ainsty membership opportunities are listed and detailed here - click on the image to advance to the detail.

A joint initiative with local organisations and schools to plant crocuses, the purple crocus blooms reminding all of the on-going threat of poliomyelitis to the world's children.

Team players wanted to join us in our many York community-based projects - with local, national and international benefits. Find out more below.

Team players wanted to join us to assist us in our many community initiatives - with INTERNATIONAL benefits... Find out more here.

The main photograph (above), supplied by Tanzanian aid worker Alice Kostrzewa shows a group of schoolchildren in Arusha, the United Republic of Tanzania, proudy displaying their personal hygiene kits, locally made from templates provided by Yorkits.

Yorkits - making and supplying washable feminine hygiene kits for girls in developing countries

Eco Angels is a Rotary York Ainsty (RYA) initiative that aims to transform waste plastic into attractive Angels. For a voluntary donation to the Yorkits project (which helps to change lives) RYA is providing basic armature shaped kits.

A York-based organic nursery and craft workshop is providing a safe and secure community working environment for those with learning difficulties.

Rotary York Ainsty is getting its gloves on to assist a community boxing club in the city.

ToyLikeMe is a York-based community-interest company which encourages and influences toy manufacturers to consider disability when designing their products.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and districts where teenagers develop skills as a leader while having fun and making connections.

Rotary York Ainsty Associate Membership - What is involved - What is expected.

A photographic record of some visits (both ways) in recent years

Three examples of how you can assist those less fortunate via Rotary membership

How to show an interest in joining Rotary York Ainsty - A selection of membership application forms

Rotary York Ainsty supports Door 84 - a York city centre for youth

What is Rotary all about? Some interesting facts and figures

Santa on tour with Rotary York Ainsty Rotarian 'collection Elves' - Peter Kendall, John Merchant, Christine True and John Niklaus.

Follow the travels of Santa as he tours streets and villages of York bringing the Christmas message to local communities.

A thank-you letter and certificate from School in a Bag.

An archive of Press Releases circulated to the media of York - including cuttings and links to original documents and resources.

Yearsley Grove School in Huntington, York support Rotary York Ainsty's Polio Eradication project

York area school pupils aimed for top marks in ingenuity as they swapped their classroom for a design and construction challenge - the RiY Technology Tournament, which was held at the international headquarters of Portakabin, in Huntington, York.

York Ainsty Rotarian Avtar Matharu is seen with another Marie Curie supporter at York central rail station.

Rotarians and volunteers have been out and about assisting with Marie Curie cancer care collections in York.

Six Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians tell the story of why they joined the association.

The heart defibrillator at Copmanthorpe is ready for use, installed courtesy of Rotary York Ainsty.

A photo-gallery featuring some images taken on the 2018 visit to RYA's 'twin' club in Münster, Germany - Münster St Mauritz.

Chechelele - the main attraction at RYA's Charter Night with a Difference - WOZA RYA

WOZA RYA - A Charter Night with a Difference - Rotary York Ainsty Charter Night 2018

Rotary York Ainsty Friends form a vital part of its community structure

Social Activities 2023-24

RYA have an active social program, usually held during the first week of the month in place of the traditional club meeting. This is open to relatives, friends and anyone interested in Rotary.

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