Join Rotary
We welcome new members. If you are community minded, live or work in the Ryde Municipality, and have a soft spot for fellowship, charity and enlightenment, why not contact us and ask about joining. We are happy to have you drop in on a few meetings to find out more about what we do. There are no secret handshakes – we don’t need them. The secret is to give more than you receive. The secret is to participate. Rotary is an international network of influential, successful people. In this age of networking, what better place to call home than your local Rotary Club?
ROTARY MEMBERSHIP PROVIDES THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
- become connected to your community
- work with others in addressing community needs
- interact with other professionals in your community
- assist with Rotary International’s international humanitarian service efforts
- establish contacts with an international network of professionals
- develop leadership skills
- involve family in promoting service efforts
Meetings
We meet Tuesdays at 6.00pm and warmly welcome visitors and anyone considering joining our club (bookings essential). Come to a meetingHERE ARE 20 REASONS TO JOIN ROTARY:
FRIENDSHIP
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It is one of two reasons Rotary began in 1905.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
The second original reason for Rotary’s beginning is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross-section of every business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Membership in Rotary continues one’s growth and education in human relations and personal development.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Rotary is an organisation of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a tertiary education. Leadership: learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY
Membership in a Rotary Club makes one a better community citizen. The average Rotary Club consists of the most active citizens of any community.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Each week at Rotary there is a program designed to keep one informed about what is going on in the community, nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers and a variety of timely topics.
FUN
Rotary is fun… a lot of fun. Each meeting is fun. The Club projects are fun. Social activities are fun. The service is fun.
PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS
Many individuals who joined Rotary were afraid to speak in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD
Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary International”. There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary Club. Every Rotarian is welcome – even encouraged – to attend any of the 33,000 Clubs in more than 200 nations and geographical regions. This means instant friends in both one’s own community and in the global community.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE WORLD
Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary International”. There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary Club. Every Rotarian is welcome – even encouraged – to attend any of the 33,000 Clubs in more than 200 nations and geographical regions. This means instant friends in both one’s own community and in the global community.
ASSISTANCE WHEN TRAVELING
Because there are Rotary Clubs everywhere, many a Rotarian in need of a doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, advice, etc. while traveling, has found assistance through Rotary.
ENTERTAINMENT
Every Rotary Club and district has parties and activities that provide diversion in one’s business life. Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies and institutes that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information, education and service.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS
Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people.
FAMILY PROGRAMS
Rotary provides one of the world’s largest youth exchange programs; high school Clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and the development of family values.
VOCATIONAL SKILLS
Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees and to teach youth about one’s job or vocation. Rotary helps to make one a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF ETHICS
Rotarians practice The Four-Way Test that governs one’s ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal relationships.
CULTURAL AWARENESS
Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, colour and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross-section of the world’s most prominent citizens from every background. Rotarians become aware of their cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries in the process.
PRESTIGE
Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the professions, art, government, sports, military, religion and all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service Club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers and professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy.
NICE PEOPLE
Rotarians above all are nice people – the nicest people on the face of the earth. They are important people who follow the policy of ‘it is nice to be important but it is important to be nice’.
THE ABSENCE OF AN 'OFFICIAL CREED'
Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of men and women who simply believe in helping others.
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE
Rotary is a service Club. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do something for somebody else and to sense the self-fulfilment that comes in the process and return of that satisfaction to one’s own life. It is richly rewarding.
The Magic of Rotary is the impact our volunteered skills, hours, and community can bring to make change in the world. President of Rotary International Stephanie Urchick defined this theme for 2024-25 working on a project to install water filters in a remote community - when they tested the system and local children saw clear water available to them for the first time, they asked her to "make the magic happen again".
Rotary International, the world's first service club organisation, is made up of over 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.
Rotary's motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organisation's members.