Rotary… What’s in it for you?
Rotary is the world’s oldest, largest and most respected service organization. Rotarians are part of the world’s largest network of humanitarians with a simple purpose – to make the world a better place. We are over 1.4 million members strong, in over 46,000 clubs in almost every country on earth. The Rotary International motto is “Service Above Self”.
Rotary provides an opportunity for its members to build friendships with a diverse group of people from different professions and ages. In addition to making our community a stronger place, we also are committed to making a difference internationally.
What’s Special About The Lakeland Rotary Club?
The Lakeland Rotary Club was founded February 15, 1918, the sixth club in the state of Florida. For more than 100 years, this club has served its community and others throughout the world in need; growing to its current membership of more than 180, one of the largest in the state. Aside from weekly meetings, we perform service projects in Lakeland, enjoy social meet ups for fellowship and fun, and participate in projects impacting lives in other parts of the world.
Local Projects and Fellowship Events:
• AEDs for every police car in the Lakeland Police Department
• Swimming lessons for kids
• Cleaning Lake Wire and Veteran’s Park
• Packing meals at KidsPack and One More Child
• Delivering meals for VISTE
• Basketball vs. Kiwanians
• Bourbon Tasting
• Deep Sea Fishing
• Ringing the Bell for the Salvation Army in December
• Scholarships to local high school seniors
Fundraisers:
• Golf Championship to raise money for Flight to Honor
• Spring Obsession raises money to help local schools
• Rotary Twilight 5K for Common Ground Park maintenance
• Know and Grow to provide ipads to students
International Projects:
• Disaster Relief for several hurricanes
• Disaster Relief in Ukraine: helped purchase ambulances, medical supplies, and generators for hospitals
• Upgrade of Health Centers in Pune City, India
• Human Milk Bank in Brazil
• Water and Sanitation for Yarumela, Honduras
• Mission Trips to La Paz Honduras to build houses and pilas, install latrines and water filters, feed communities, paint schools, refurbish libraries, and more!
• Cleft Palate surgery in Mexico and Peru
What are the Expectations of a Rotarian?
A Rotarian is expected to participate in as many club activities as possible, including meetings, fundraising events and service projects. We understand however, that members have conflicting demands on their time, and that Rotary at best can only ever come third behind family and work obligations. We need your bright ideas and enthusiasm to help strengthen and build our club.
Integrity and High Ethical Standards
Rotary promotes high ethical standards in all business and personal relationships. Our members are asked to apply Rotary’s Four Way test to the things we think, say and do.
• Is it the truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Financial Obligations
• $125 initiation fee
• $350 Annual dues (July-June) invoiced in May
(prorated if joining mid-year)
Members are required to pay annual dues. This includes dues which the club has to pay to Rotary International for membership and administration of the organization globally, and a subscription to the official Rotary International monthly magazine (digital and hard copy versions available). At present the numbers work out like this: New members are required to pay $125 at Rotary Information, which is your initial getting to know us meeting. Then once your permanent blue name badge is issued, the annual $350 dues are prorated for the remainder of that year. The Rotary calendar year runs from July 1st to June 30th.
If you have any questions, please contact our club administrator, Beth Hesseltine at Beth@lakelandrotary.org 863-712-6796.