Membership

WHO WE ARE

We are an active and friendly club always keen to welcome new members, both women and men. We meet at the Masonic Halls, 73, Oakfield Road, Croydon, CRO2UX every Tuesday for a 13:00 lunch. As well as meeting every Tuesday lunchtime, we also organise a wide range of events throughout the year, such as fundraising events, theatre trips, meals out and visits. We encourage members to bring their partners and friends to these events. 

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we have been meeting fortnightly on Zoom. Whilst not ideal, these meetings have kept members in touch with club activities and with each other. We hope to be able to meet face to face as soon as we can do so in a safe manner.

WHAT WE DO

Every year we raise money for the President’s charity and other charities supported by the club. These provide an opportunity for members to contribute to the local community and to have fun at the same time. Fundraising events in which members participate include, but are not limited to, a golf day, quiz nights, sponsored challenges, etc.

As well as raising funds for local and international charities, including Rotary’s End Polio Now Campaign, members participate in many community events such as planting bulbs and trees in local schools, funding local students to attend residential weekend courses for self-development, a ‘Kids Out’ day and organising an afternoon tea for elderly residents of Croydon. Our community support has led to two long-term partnerships, one with Broadmead Primary School, the other with the organisers of the Croydon Night of Dance (see our Community page for more details).

FLEXIBLE MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Becoming a member of Rotary means you are a member of every club throughout the world. This enables you to meet your community leaders and to make an impact both here and around the world. 

We recognise, however, that many people will not be able to commit to full membership of Rotary because of their work or other commitments but would still like to be involved. To cater for these needs we have introduced two other types of flexible membership.

Associate Membership will be suitable for people who are considering joining Rotary in the future but cannot make a commitment at this stage. Associate membership allows you to attend our lunches and participate in all our activities for up to a year at a reduced membership fee. 

Friends of Rotary is another class of membership suitable for people who are interested in participating and supporting the fundraising and community activities of Rotary but do not wish to become a member. 

Many people, especially younger people but not exclusively, who are interested in joining Rotary may be put off by the regular commitment of lunch and may prefer something far less formal such as meeting in a café, pub or people’s homes. Croydon Rotary Club is at the early stages of exploring what we can offer in a more flexible format for this group of people. We would like to hear from people interested in coming together in a more flexible format, so that together we can develop some innovative proposals. 

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP AND BUSINESS PARTNERS

We are also interested in encouraging corporate organisations to join as a Corporate Members or Business Partners. This is suitable for organisations whose staff are interested in Rotary but because of work commitments cannot join as individual members. 

There is much going on in Croydon Rotary Club and if you would like to explore joining us, please contact either Membership Officer, Stephen Kirkman (see below) or the Secretary to arrange a time to meet us over lunch or at a venue and time convenient with you.

Our members have found that it is a truly rewarding experience. Here's what they say:

"Being a Rotarian means being able to give something
back to my community in an atmosphere of friendship,
enthusiasm and fun!" [Barbara]

"Being a Rotarian offers friendship, interesting talks
and information, the opportunity to help in some
worthwhile charities and a chance to meet with
other clubs in Europe." [Chris]

"The Rotary principle of 'service before self' is greatly
to be desired and since retiring from business I have
attempted to serve the Croydon and wider community
in voluntary ways."  [Edward]

[Founding members of the Rotary Club of Croydon first met on 13 December 1921. They applied for membership of Rotary International on 23 February 1922 and received the Club Charter on 01 June 1922.]