Throughout June, we’re celebrating Rotary Fellowship Month by sharing stories from a few of the more than 100 Fellowships. View the full list of Rotary Fellowships to find one that fits your interests.

Since its founding in 2018, the Rotarian Metalhead Fellowship has always focused on inclusion. Every metal music enthusiast is welcome to join. Whether you are part of the family of Rotary or you simply love metal music but don’t yet have a Rotary connection, you’re welcome to join us and become part of an international community of metal music lovers.  We have more than 200 members from all around the world who come together around our passion for metal music to share about favorite or new artists and songs, meet up at metal festivals and metal concerts, and do good in our communities.

When I joined the International Fellowship of Cricket Loving Rotarians (IFCR), my entire Rotary experience changed. The way it has connected me with others from across the Rotary world has been phenomenal.

When I applied for my Rotary Peace Fellowship for a professional development postgraduate diploma in March 2020, I deliberately chose the new center in Africa, Makerere Rotary Peace Centre in Uganda.

In my application, I noted: “My first preference is Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Makerere is located in the heart of the Great Lakes Region, which historically and even currently experiences the most conflict in Africa. Studying at Makerere University will provide a strategic proximity to communities affected by the conflict in the region, which makes it a fertile ground for case studies relating to the programme.”

And I am glad I made that choice.

Charity Navigator lists The Rotary Foundation as one of the top 10 charities at work throughout the country and the world. The Foundation is a large, complex organization with a budget well in excess of US $100 million, and over  $65 million in net assets. It is on that very select list in part because of the Foundation’s exceptional financial management, no easy feat considering the scope and size of their operations. Rotarians should feel confident that The Rotary Foundation puts our donations to good use. For more information, and to see the list, check it out, here. 

ShelterBox and Rotary members have a mutual concern about the rising levels of global displacement and a shared passion to support those whose lives are torn apart by disaster and conflict. When war and conflict destroy homes and displace people, shelter is one of the essential building blocks for recovery. As well as responding to disasters, ShelterBox provides emergency shelter and other lifesaving items to people who have lost everything to conflict.

In partnership, we have provided shelter support to communities displaced by conflict in Nigeria, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Syria, Cameroon, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Mozambique.

Conflict situations are...

As Rotarians, we focus on Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution during the month of February. One of the most highly sought after programs Rotary supports is the Rotary Peace Fellows program.

Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards up to 50 fellowships for master’s degree programs and 80 for professional certificate programs at the seven Rotary Peace Centers around the world.  The year-long Master's Degree programs are full-ride scholarships worth $75,000 each, while the certificate programs are year-long remote and partial residency programs designed for working candidates with significant experience in a peacebuilding or conflict resolution field. 

Peace doesn’t happen overnight. Peace is built in small, consistent ways over time. This may often seem counterintuitive, and even unproductive, in a culture where immediate gratification is our norm. While the peacebuilding process is often quiet, personal and complex, it is also one of the most important areas in which to dedicate our energy and time.  

Many of the world’s pressing issues have a strong peacebuilding component—pandemics, environmental threats, and political conflicts all can be looked at through the peacebuilding lens. While these challenges are complex, Rotary is well positioned to make a difference.

What Is Rotary? 

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

What we do: 

One of Rotary’s founding principles was to use your vocation — whether as a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or another profession — to do good in the world.  As we attempt to overcome and recover from the pandemic, this principle is vital in retraining people who have lost their jobs.

Why do Rotarians donate to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund? Our donations help Rotary clubs take action to create positive change in communities at home and around the world. The Foundation uses our Annual Fund contributions to make positive and lasting change in Rotary’s seven areas of focus through the efforts of individual Rotary Clubs: in strengthening peace efforts, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, growing local economies, saving mothers and children, fighting disease, and protecting the environment. 

Find out more here, in the most recent Annual Report https://www.rotary.org/en/annual-report-2021. 

I have never forgotten a conversation I had with a Rotarian who was one of our strongest supporters, back when I was still a Rotaractor. Her own children had never joined Rotary or Rotaract, because they didn’t want to belong to something “boring” like their parents did! I was gobsmacked.

What precisely are we as Rotarians telling our children about Rotary? What do they see? Do they just see you going to “boring” meetings? Or do they see what inspires you about Rotary?

worldwide do not have clean water. Rotary and USAID share a commitment to providing clean water, 

sanitation, and hygiene through sustainable projects that are built on local needs. 

We ride so that others may walk. I don’t know who said it first, but the phrase has become a tagline for Rotary cyclists around the world, pedaling for PolioPlus, logging miles, and raising funds in the global effort to fully eradicate this disease.

My husband, Mahmoud, and I are looking forward to returning to Tucson, Arizona, for my seventh and his fifth Ride to End Polio. It would be my eighth and his sixth ride if everything hadn’t ground to a halt with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. For all kinds of reasons, getting back on the bike this year is an important statement: of Rotary’s determination to finish what we started 36 years ago and of our collective determination to reclaim our lives after 18 months of relative isolation.

Charity Navigator lists The Rotary Foundation as one of the top 10 charities at work throughout the country and the world. The Foundation is a large, complex organization with a budget well in excess of g $100 million, and over  $65 million in net assets. It is on that very select list in part because of the Foundation’s exceptional financial management, no easy feat considering the scope and size of their operations. Rotarians should feel confident that The Rotary Foundation puts our donations to good use. For more information, and to see the list, check it out, here. 

I first discovered the value of service when I saw how a few simple acts can immeasurably change lives. It began when I joined others in my club for a project to bring toilets and clean drinking water to rural villages near our city. It moved forward when we promoted sanitation and provided opportunities for education across the country, thanks to generous gifts from supporters who believed in our projects as much as those of us on the ground did.

There is no better time of the year to be reminded of that generosity than November, which is Rotary Foundation Month.

Rotary’s goal of ridding the world of polio is within reach, global health experts said during the 2021 World Polio Day Online Global Update on 24 October. The 30-minute program, “Delivering on our Promise of a Polio-Free World,” provided encouraging information about the progress and remaining challenges in the fight to end polio.

So far in 2021, only two cases of wild polio have been reported — the lowest circulation of the disease ever — with one infection each in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two countries where polio remains endemic.

The Rotary Club of East Jefferson County is inviting high school sophomores and juniors to apply to attend the 2022 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) June 8-11, 2022 at YMCA Camp Colman in Longbranch WA.  Applications will be accepted through March 31st, 2022.

Poliovirus is usually spread from person to person through infected fecal matter entering the mouth via contaminated drinking water. It may also be spread by food containing human feces and less commonly from infected saliva. Those who are infected may spread the disease for up to six weeks even if no symptoms are present. 

Poliomyelitis has existed for thousands of years, with depictions of the disease in ancient art. Poor sanitation, surprisingly, limited the spread of the disease as most people developed a resistance to the virus through constant exposure. But when sanitation was improved, beginning in the late 19th century in Europe and the United States, those areas began to experience major outbreaks of the disease, and the death rate began to increase. For more information, the Wikipedia entry is a good start. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poliomyelitis#History

SEOUL, South Korea: Sept. 23, 2021 – Jimin, a member of K-pop boy band BTS, is supporting the eradication of polio, a devastating vaccine-preventable disease that once paralyzed 1,000 children every single day.

Jimin’s donation of 100 million won ($88,000) to Rotary's polio eradication program, will protect children in countries where the disease is still a threat.

What is Polio and why do we care?  Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis, is an infectious disease caused by a virus. In 1988, polio affected 350,000 children every single year — including those in Europe and the US. It's a horrific disease that can cause irreversible paralysis and even death. 

The eradication of polio is the top philanthropic priority of Rotary International, which is a key partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. http://polioeradication.org/who-we-are/

Each year our Rotary District awards District 5020 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships (DRAS) and supports applications for post-graduate Rotary International Global Grant Scholarships and Peace Fellowships. 

Over the past 21 years, ShelterBox and Rotary International have worked together to support families with emergency shelter following disaster or conflict.  

Disaster, conflict and lack of adequate housing significantly reduces a child’s access to education. Nearly 40 million children a year have their education interrupted by disasters, such as earthquakes and disease.¹ And the number of child refugees fleeing conflict and extremism, violence or disaster has risen to over 13 million in recent years. ² 

Through the provision of shelter, we are contributing to Rotary’s wider efforts to strengthen the capacity of communities to provide basic education and tackle illiteracy. Shelter is more than a physical structure: it is one of many factors that can increase a child’s access to education. 

In December 2017, on his first night as a Peace Corps volunteer in the ancient North Macedonian city of Štip, Cal Mann was welcomed with a raucous party at a rustic cabin far outside of town. There was an abundance of food and drinks, and a boom box blared local music. As the party raged well past midnight, Mann watched, beer in hand. “I’m like, I can’t do this for two years, that’s for sure,” he recalls.

The Rotarian Code of Conduct. 

As a Rotarian, I will:

1.  Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life;

2.  Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect;

3.   Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with  special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world;

4.  Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians.

5.  Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities; report any suspected harassment; and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment.

Acts of kindness, however large or small, reverberate through our lives in amazing, unexpected ways. I try to bear this in mind when I see people on the news who are in great distress. Among the stories of turmoil and chaos and fear, there are also stories of love and compassion and resilience. It’s vital to ask how we, as individuals and as organizations, can help others in these moments of crisis.

When I was 16, Rotary offered me a chance to experience life beyond anything I had known before. After attending a meeting about Rotary Youth Exchange, I decided to apply to study in Spain.

It took months of hard work to prepare. But before I knew it, it was time to pack up my things and leave. I arrived for my 2019-20 exchange in an unfamiliar country, meeting people I didn’t know, who spoke a language I didn’t speak well. But even though this was my most difficult path yet, I was at peace.

1. Enhance Club fellowship and fun.
2. Attract new members and retain current members.
3. Improve our active service to change lives within our local and global communities. 

I wish each of you and your families a great Rotary New Year! Together, let us make it the best year of our lives, by making it a year to grow more and do more. Let this be a year of changemakers, and let us begin with our membership.

That is precisely why the Each One, Bring One initiative is so important. During this year, I urge you to dream of new ways in which Rotary can expand its reach into your community and therefore the world. If each member introduces one person to Rotary, our membership can increase to 1.3 million by July 2022. So, let’s just do it!

Rotary Action Groups (RAGs) provide assistance and support to clubs and districts in planning and implementing community development and humanitarian service projects. They are organized by committed professionals with expertise in particular fields, and supported by volunteers with an interest in those areas.  

The Rotary Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS) looks to provide information about, and promote ways for Rotarians and others to engage and support anti-slavery and human trafficking projects, programs and campaigns.

It is said that the secret to feeling good and enjoyment consists of the ease and speed of adaptation to new situations. And that we have done at the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR). Despite the pandemic, we have continued to work in service to our communities, meeting and growing.

In our fellowship, we have detected an urgent issue on a global scale. This involves the 139 fleets that we have in 42 countries and impacts each community in which our fleets work. This issue is about the plastic pollution of rivers, seas and oceans. In keeping with the spirit of our fellowship, this concern for our inland waters and oceans has been turned into an international service project.

The IYFR has created a strategic plan for this service initiative that is adapted by each fleet for their particular needs. Our fellowship also has other service projects, such as nautical therapy, sea scouts, scholarships for young people to navigate, teaching sustainable fishing, health care in islands, etc. Our Plastic Free Waters (PFW) program differs from other service projects because it involves fleets from different countries with the same objective. Many District Governors have supported our Plastic Free Waters program, declaring it of district interest. Therefore, having detected this urgent need to contribute to the cleaning of rivers, seas and oceans, we have turned it into a worldwide service. For our International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians, the oldest and largest of the more than 90 Rotary fellowships, this is a great challenge.

GENEVA, 10 June 2021 – Today, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) will launch the Polio Eradication Strategy 2022-2026: Delivering on a Promise at a virtual event, to overcome the remaining challenges to ending polio, including setbacks caused by COVID-19. While polio cases have fallen 99.9% since 1988, polio remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and persistent barriers to reaching every child with polio vaccines and the pandemic have contributed to an increase in polio cases. Last year, 1226 cases of all forms of polio were recorded compared to 138 in 2018.

In 2020, the GPEI paused polio door-to-door campaigns for four months to protect communities from the spread of COVID-19 and contributed up to 30,000 program staff and over $100 million in polio resources to support pandemic response in almost 50 countries.

Leaders from the two countries yet to interrupt wild polio transmission—Pakistan and Afghanistan—called for renewed global solidarity and the continued resources necessary to eradicate this vaccine-preventable disease. They committed to strengthening their partnership with GPEI to improve vaccination campaigns and engagement with communities at high risk of polio.

This video highlights the update. https://youtu.be/j7vxKdy7NDs

Rotary offers many opportunities to connect with others in our club and district who share similar passions. Rotarians also have many opportunities to connect with members globally.

Rotary Fellowships provide a great way to make new friends around the world and enhance your Rotary experience. The fellowships are international, independently organized groups of Rotarians, family members, program participants, and alumni who share a common passion. These groups range in interest from tennis to wine, marathon running to cooking, scuba diving to recreational vehicles, jazz to computers, and many, many more.

Rotary’s positive influence on the world extends far beyond its members and its clubs. From medical missions to disaster relief to combating climate change, Rotary plays a role in a vast array of initiatives that help humanity. The reach and impact of Rotary’s work are a testament to Rotary members’ leadership, passion, and drive to help others.

Below, we look at three organizations that have grown out of a Rotary project or an individual member’s incredible commitment to a cause. These entities are well known — but their roots in Rotary might not be.

It’s spring,  and the time of year when the East Jefferson Rotary Club offers you the opportunity to gift others with a dozen or more beautiful roses!  You may have a spouse or other loved one, someone who did something special for you recently, or the administrative assistant at your business or church you would like to honor….everybody enjoys getting our lovely roses!  

This year, our order form is online; please find it here: https://form.jotform.com/210657399126967

Maternal and child care is one of Rotary’s main causes. It is estimated that close to 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation, which can all be prevented.  Rotary makes health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger. 

Charity Navigator lists The Rotary Foundation as one of the top 10 charities at work throughout the country and the world. The Foundation is a large, complex organization with a budget well in excess of g $100 million, and over  $65 million in net assets. It is on that list in part because of their exceptional financial management, no easy feat considering the scope and size of their operations. Rotarians should feel confident that The Rotary Foundation puts their donations to good use. For more information, and to see the list, check it out, here. 

In Rotary, 23 February is our anniversary, and February is also the month when we focus on promoting peace. There is a reason for this: Contributing to peace and international understanding has been a high priority for us since our earliest days.

We are often asked: “How can we get involved in peace now?”

As a Rotarian, I will:

1.  Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life;

2.  Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect;

3.   Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with  special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world;

4.  Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians.

5.  Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities; report any suspected harassment; and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment.

A history of diverse backgrounds

When Chicago attorney Paul Harris founded Rotary, he invited his colleagues and friends to create a club where professionals of diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful friendships. Over time, that expanded to giving back to their communities.

Since its first club meeting more than 100 years ago, Rotary has grown into an international organization with clubs in nearly every country in the world. Our membership comprises people with countless individual identities who share a singular passion for making the world a better place for everyone.

In recognition of Rotary's history as a diverse organization, and in our careful planning for our future, Rotary has reaffirmed the organization's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Our club goal for individual donations to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund is $7,500 this Rotary Year, which runs through June 30th, 2021, though we hope to exceed that amount.   

Vocational service calls on Rotarians to encourage and foster:

• High ethical standards in business and professions

• The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations

• The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

Rotarians recognize the importance of our governing principles, which have been developed over the years to provide us with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.  The Object of Rotary is the first of those principles, and the one we are currently considering. 

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.

Rotarians consider the Object of Rotary to have four parts - first, acquaintance, which we considered last week; second, high ethical standards; third, the application of the ideal of service; and, fourth, the advancement of international understanding through a world fellowship of Rotarians united in the ideal of service.

Today, we’ll consider the second part of the Object of Rotary, namely, high ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society. 

Rotary Guiding Principles have been developed over the years to provide all Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world. There are three Guiding Principles: The Object of Rotary, The Four-Way Test, and the Avenues of Service. 

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

• SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

• THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;

• FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

While our ability to travel internationally, gather for fellowship and friendship, and build partnerships for service has been disrupted, our ingenuity and creativity has opened opportunities in unprecedented ways. And while we can’t replace in-person experiences, virtual travel and fellowship opportunities are redefining how we build partnerships and continue supporting communities through remote service opportunities.

Finding meaningful service opportunities and impactful projects to support is already a daunting task, which feels immensely more challenging while need grows during the global pandemic. Getting involved in international service can often be a challenge, especially during a pandemic when international travel is limited.

Virtual project fairs allow for immersion, travel, and fellowship from the safety and comfort of your home.

As I look back on 2020, I reflect on how our lives have changed. The global COVID-19 pandemic brought pain and loss to many of us. And for almost all of us, our daily lives, family time, and work also changed this year. But we've made it to the end of this difficult year, not on our own but by reaching out to one another, as we always do in Rotary. With each passing year, I become prouder of our organization.

I will choose to remember 2020 as a year of great change and strength for us; Rotary didn't stop, despite the pandemic. We removed obstacles, found new ways to connect, and embraced new approaches to service, such as online projects and virtual fundraising. I have invited two Rotarians to share their stories about how Rotary grew stronger this year.

As a Rotarian, I will:

1.  Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life;

2.  Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect;

3.   Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with  special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world;

4.  Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians.

5.  Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities; report any suspected harassment; and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment.

Members of the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County and community members across eastern Jefferson County continue to support our efforts to stock the Little Free Pantry at the Irondale Community Church. You may drop donated items off locally in Port Ludlow at the Edward Jones office at 9526 Oak Bay Rd, Suite 300, Port Ludlow, WA 98365.   

All non-perishable food items will be accepted however the items below have been requested: 

All Rotary Clubs welcome new members. It’s not difficult to join a Club, but all Rotary Clubs are “by invitation only” and there are several kinds of clubs. With that in mind, we invite you to consider joining us! 

Rotarians are all about action - making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Working together and with partners,  the 1.2 million active, involved Rotarians in tens of thousands of clubs worldwide lead and contribute to positive change in our communities and around the world.  

Shekhar Mehta will become Rotary's President on July 1st, 2021. Mehta is a member of the Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar, which is located in West Bengal, India. 

Rotary International currently has a number of partner organizations. One of these is ShelterBox, an organization that provides emergency shelter and supplies worldwide to assist survivors immediately after a disaster. 

Rotary works with ShelterBox in all phases of disaster relief: identifying regions that need support, volunteering in relief efforts, facilitating meetings with government officials and relief agencies, and funding supplies. Rotary can also help with logistics, including customs clearance; housing deployed teams; arranging transportation; and offering language interpretation.

Club President Rick Smith is coordinating the Club’s support of the little pantry, located outside the Irondale Church in Port Hadlock WA.   

Here is the list of items that the Community Wellness Project (CWP) has requested to get the little pantry stocked. Other non-perishables are also accepted.

In 2008, my world changed when my wife of 29 years was killed by an impaired driver. She was returning from visiting our 17-year-old daughter in college. My life revolved around Judy and our four children (Anne, Michael, Geoffrey, and Lara). We were so close that it felt like I had died too.

A year later, our youngest child left for college and I was alone in a five-bedroom house. I had to choose between curling up in a ball or going on living. I chose the latter and began speaking to first-time offenders convicted of a driving under the influence offense for several programs in central Ohio.

The year 2020 has brought monumental changes that have already included a global pandemic and a renewed call for social justice. We are reminded that we live in a constantly changing world, and Rotary is a reflection of that world.

We must be ready to listen and adapt, always drawing upon our core values of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. If we live these values and apply The Four-Way Test to all aspects of our lives, we will be prepared to lead at all times.

As a Rotarian, I will:

1.  Act with integrity and high ethical standards in my personal and professional life;

2.  Deal fairly with others and treat them and their occupations with respect;

3.   Use my professional skills through Rotary to mentor young people, help those with  special needs, and improve people’s quality of life in my community and in the world;

4.  Avoid behavior that reflects adversely on Rotary or other Rotarians.

5.  Help maintain a harassment-free environment in Rotary meetings, events, and activities; report any suspected harassment; and help ensure non-retaliation to those individuals that report harassment.

Interested in Rotary International? Founded in 1905 by a Chicago lawyer, Paul Harris, Rotary has grown to be a formidable force for good in the world.  

From the very beginning, Rotarians have been focused on taking action to make a positive difference in the world. Although founded as a social club, Rotarians begin focusing on improving their local and global communities the very next year. In fact, the first-ever Rotary project was funding and supporting the construction of public sanitary facilities in Chicago. 

Grassroots at the core, Rotary today links 1.2 million members, men and women alike, in over 35,000 clubs worldwide to form an organization of international scope focused on improving the lives of people all over the globe. 

Founder Paul Harris’ words “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves” ring ever more true today. 

Why do men and women from all walks of life join Rotary? 

What is Rotary? 

We connect people!

Rotary unites more than a million people. Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. We use our connections as Rotarians and members of our communities to make that change happen - locally and globally.  

This does not seem like a time for great optimism, but it has to be. Long before Rotary was founded, the world dealt with great crises that tested humankind's ability to progress and endure. In the age of Rotary, the world has faced many more catastrophes; however, we have survived, and every step of the way, Rotary has helped the world heal.

Every great challenge is an opportunity for renewal and growth. I revealed the theme of Rotary Opens Opportunities at the International Assembly in San Diego just as the COVID-19 crisis was beginning, but these are words that I have believed for many years.

Rotary is not just a club that you join; it is an invitation to endless opportunities. We believe in creating opportunities for others and for ourselves. We believe that our acts of service, large and small, generate opportunities for people who need our help, and that Rotary opens opportunities for us to live a richer, more meaningful life, with friends around the world, based on our core values.

Dr. Tamara Meredith is the Director of the Jefferson County Library District in Port Hadlock, WA and has spent 18+ years in public, school, and academic library leadership positions. She is passionate about providing access to information and learning resources, and works to find creative, functional solutions to limited broadband and other technology issues that impede equitable access in rural areas. She currently serves on the University of Washington MLIS Advisory Board, is the treasurer of Public Libraries of Washington, and is both a board member and a coach for the Kitsap Philharmonic Youth Symphony.

Tamara joined the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County in 2017...

Our club goal for individual donations to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund is $11,500 this Rotary Year, which runs through June 30th, 2020, though we hope to exceed that amount.   

As we approach the end of the calendar year, it might be a good time to consider a donation to The Rotary Foundation. 

   Rotary Action Groups (RAGs) provide assistance and support to clubs and districts in planning and implementing community development and humanitarian service projects. They are organized by committed professionals with expertise in a particular field. Members need not be Rotarians.

   The purpose of the Rotarian Action Group for Blindness Prevention is to ...

The Rotary Club of East Jefferson County, or EJC Rotary as the Club is now usually known, has been a part of communities in eastern Jefferson County since it was chartered by Rotary International on June 21st, 1982, 38 years ago. 

The group that was to become the Club met in those early days at the well-known Ajax Cafe on the spit in Port Hadlock, across the street from what is now the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. Jim Humphrey was the Club’s first President, and dentist John Barrett, who remains a member to this day, the Club’s first President-Elect. 

The vision of the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County is that, together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. 

Our mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

It is beyond question that the nation is undergoing an extremely stressful time. Yet, Rotarians know that we have faced extremely stressful times before - the Great Depression, World War II, the Vietnam War, the riots of the late 60’s, the 2008 economic recession, and many more. 

Rotarians use our Guiding Principles to provide stability at all times to our personal and professional conduct. Chief among these Principles is the Four-Way Test. 

Rotary Action Groups (RAGS) are independent, Rotary-affiliated groups made up of people from around the world who are experts in a particular field, such as economic development, peace, addiction prevention, the environment, or water. They provide assistance and support to Rotary clubs and districts in planning and implementing community development and humanitarian service projects. Rotarian Action Groups (RAGs) give members opportunities to engage in service activities and network with like-minded members around the world.  There are currently 25 such groups.

My Rotary journey began 40 years ago when I joined the Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama, at the age of 25, and it has brought my family and me many unforgettable moments. But nothing could have prepared me for connecting with the world as president of Rotary International. My individual Rotary journey has become a shared Rotary journey with each of you.

When you make a donation to The Rotary Foundation, you are helping Rotary members make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world. Here are five great reasons to make Rotary your charity of choice at any time of the year.

Today marks the final day in our annual highlight of Rotary Youth activities. Support of our youth is certainly a very strong point in our Club. We’ve looked at...

Rotarians channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity. The Avenues of Service are part of the Guiding Principles of Rotary, which include the Object of Rotary, and the 4-Way Test. https://my.rotary.org/en/guiding-principles

This brief article provides you a succinct summary of the various Rotary scholarship programs. There are a wide variety of scholarships available, for everyone from local high school graduates to fully funded master’s degree programs worth up to $75,000. 

Many different types of scholarships are offered by individual Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts, and The Rotary Foundation, all of which are applied for through your nearest Rotary Club. If we can offer just one piece of advice, it would be to start early and be relentless in your search!

Rotarians channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity. The Avenues of Service are part of the Guiding Principles of Rotary, which include the Object of Rotary, and the 4-Way Test. https://my.rotary.org/en/guiding-principles

The five Avenues are: 

The power of Rotary lies in our global network of community leaders and technical experts, and our exceptionally strong ethic of Service Above Self.

The Annual Fund makes it possible for Rotary clubs to transform lives around the globe. It is one of several funds managed by The Rotary Foundation.  

Broadly speaking, the Annual Fund supports Rotary humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs around the world. 

Rotarians focus our service efforts in six areas to maximize our local and global impact: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, and growing local communities. These are called “Areas of Focus”, or “Rotary Causes”. 

Every Rotarian is encouraged to make a personal donation to the Annual Fund every year, and to participate in one of the Foundation programs. Our Club is active in many of the Rotary programs, including Global grants, District Community Grants, Alumni programs, Peace Fellowships, Rotary scholarships, the Rotary Youth Exchange program, and the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), among others. 

All donations made by Rotarians are completely voluntary.  Our Club asks each Rotarian to donate $120 each year to the Annual Fund. Most members donate more than that, while a few members donate less, each according to their circumstances. (Our Club averaged $391 per person over the past Rotary year). 

Our policy, like many clubs, is to make it possible for Rotarians to see why donating to The Rotary Foundation’s programs is important, and to make it easy to do so; we do not “twist arms” nor do we force donations. While the donation amounts each member makes are never publicized, Rotarians are recognized for their donations, most notably through the Paul Harris Fellow recognition.   

The Rotary Foundation itself has an enviable record of managing our funds, one that every Rotarian should be proud of - and one that is very closely tracked. 90.6 percent of the money we donate to the Foundation is used for the programs and services supported by the Foundation, while only 9.3 percent is used for administrative and fundraising expenses, an enviable record indeed. 

Charity Navigator rates The Rotary Foundation 4 out of 4 stars, and has done so for the past twelve years. In fact, the Foundation is ranked number two in the United States. Find out more, here: https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=4553        

The Annual Fund is the primary source of funds that support The Rotary Foundation’s programs and areas of focus. Lets take a closer look at the Annual Fund itself. 

Living overseas as a high school student can be a tough thing for anyone, including the strongest willed and strongest minded. I know many people that have said they would love to go on exchange, but they would miss their friends too much or would fail immediately. I thought this as well going into my exchange, as I felt relatively unprepared in comparison to other exchange students I have seen, past and present. There were even moments where I considered dropping out! Leaving my friends and family behind to live in a foreign country with virtually no knowledge of the language was, without a doubt, the most challenging thing I have done. But I saw it through, and I never looked back.

The first month or so of my exchange...

Interact is the Rotary International program for high school students ages 12-18. I

Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. 

The Rotary Club of East Jefferson County sponsors the Chimacum High School Interact Club, which is a separate entity with its own leadership, members and funds.  Adult Rotarians provide mentorship and support for the Interact Club members.  

Starting out in October...

Rotarians recognize the importance of our governing principles, which have been developed over the years to provide us with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.  The Object of Rotary is the first of those principles, and the one we have been considering over the past few weeks.

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster, FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotarians Support Education

Rotarians are people of action. We share an urgency to become  involved in our communities, both locally and globally, to make a positive and lasting difference. We enjoy working together, and focus our activity on six main causes, one of which is education. 

Our broad goal within the area of education is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults. Rotarians are involved in activities to further these objectives not only in our own communities, but all over the world as well. 

Here in our local communities, our Club is deeply involved in this Rotary cause. 

The Club has partnered with Chimacum Schools for decades, and was recently honored with the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Community Leadership Award in recognition of  our tremendously supportive and creative relationship with Chimacum Schools. 

Rotarians recognize the importance of our governing principles, which have been developed over the years to provide us with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.  The Object of Rotary is the first of those principles, and the one we are considering this month.  This week, we’ll consider the third object of Rotary: