My Rotary
As I drive home after another enjoyable evening at my Rotary Club I think about what a local brewer told us earlier during his fascinating after-dinner talk about his work –with proof of his results through ‘tastings’!
Most weeks we have interesting after-dinner speakers who cover a wide variety of topics, some serious, some not. In the course of the evenings I take the opportunity to socialise and network in pleasant surroundings with the many friends I have made through Rotary. In fact joining Rotary has expanded my social life – and my wife’s –through events outside Rotary but in the company of other Rotarians and their partners – this month we have already visited a local pub for an evening of skittles with a buffet and next week we are off to Drury Lane for a meal and show – the ‘Producers’. But much of the satisfaction and pleasure from being a Rotarian comes from ‘putting something back’ into the community. Last month we organised and ran a successful swimathon to raise funds for local charities and at Christmas we will be raising more by going around local streets and to supermarkets with our mobile sleigh and Father Christmas – to the accompaniment of carols. It is wonderful to see all the happy faces of children as they come to the door to see Santa, and refreshing to see how willing people are to help others in need.
Wherever possible Rotarians also get involved in ‘hands-on’ projects such as running outings for Young Carers, trips for older people and providing a fortnightly service to help carers and those being cared for to complete the lengthy forms involved in applying for carers and disabled persons allowances.
Rotary is an international movement and our Club is twinned with a Rotary Club from Germany. We spend one weekend a year in each others’ towns, being looked after in Rotarians’ homes and have developed long lasting friendships in this way. We also raise money together for projects in the developing world.
All this sounds terribly busy but the fact is that Rotarians join in only where family, work and other commitments allow – and it is enjoyable.
There’s a lot more I could say. Why not get in touch with one of the six clubs listed on another page to find out more, without any commitment. We have clubs that meet for breakfast and in ‘twilight’ hours as well as those like mine that meet in the evening. You’ll be very welcome at any of them.