Welcome

Reasons for joining Rotary

Rotary's business is humankind and its product is service.

This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian:

the chance to do good.

You've heard something about Rotary and Rotarians, but don't know much more. Here are some reasons why YOU should consider joining. Email us at Membership@RotaryGuelph.ca to chat and learn more.

TESTIMONIALS FROM OUR OWN CLUB MEMBERS:

WHAT BROUGHT ME TO ROTARY, AND WHY I STAY

A short video on WHY I LOVE ROTARY by one of our club's past presidents.

THE TOP REASONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

Rotary International did a global survey that showed the top six reasons why members stay with Rotary year after year. As a 10-year member myself, I relate to these.

To be of service
To give back to their communities
To make new friends
To connect with like-minded people
To network
Fun

CONNECTIONS AND FRIENDSHIPS

I have always been interested in and committed in giving back to my community and Rotary provided me with the perfect opportunity to do so. The weekly luncheon meetings provide me with coveted opportunities to interact and network with an outstanding group of citizens, many of whom have become good friends and who also happen to be community leaders in business, the arts, academia and social service agencies. I have been a part of Rotary for nearly 25 years now, and I have truly cherished my involvement in this amazing organization.

ROTARY RUNS IN THE FAMILY

My late father was a member of Rotary all his adult life so I grew up knowing a lot about the organization. When I moved to Guelph, joining Rotary helped me become acquainted with many people in the community. In addition to making many good friends, Rotary provided an opportunity to develop my leadership and public speaking skills and to contribute to the betterment of the Guelph community. Rotary has been a very important part of my life!

FELLOWSHIP

For me, a great part of Rotary is FELLOWSHIP. It’s meeting with people face to face, getting to know them, and sharing each other’s life experiences. In addition to forming deep and enduring friendships within my own club, I also get to enjoy fellowship with Rotarians from other clubs when we volunteer together at their events or ours, or by volunteering within the community. Rotary opens the door to going good and making a difference. As an aside … being involved with Rotary curling has given me many friendships in Canada, the US and Scotland, with some of the greatest experiences of my life.

ROTARIANS TURN IDEAS INTO ACTION

Rotary is a place where any idea can be turned into action. It's an organization that isn't solely focused on one thing but can be flexible depending on what our local community or other communities around the world need. Its broad focus, and talented membership, make Rotary the perfect place to come together to solve issues.

ROTARY MAKES USE OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

My experience in Rotary has been very fulfilling. Working with and having like-minded, compassionate Rotarians around me has been life changing. I am able to share my knowledge and help different groups, especially the less fortunate, both in our community and internationally. It doesn't matter what culture we are from; we share a common goal to support communities and make them better.

THE POWER OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER

Rotary offers me a feeling of connection to a wide variety of very interesting, intelligent, busy, committed and friendly community members who take time out of their lives to focus on helping others. They teach me, inspire me, motivate me and support me in so many wonderful ways. And we celebrate together the many positive aspects of community life. I am proud to be a Rotarian - not because of what I do, but because of what Rotarians do together.

SUPPORTING MY COMMUNITY

Joining the Rotary Club of Guelph has been one of my best decisions since moving to the area. Through the club, I've learned about and participated in numerous community events and initiatives, and I feel good about myself for putting the work into the community events that I not only want to enjoy for myself but am proud to provide for others. Our Friday meetings are always a great start to my weekend as we have interesting speakers, and genuine fellowship.

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMS

In my 32 years of membership, Rotary's International Youth Exchange Program has always been the highlight of my family’s Rotary experience. Our Rotary youth exchange daughter, Stefi from Ecuador, lived with us in Guelph as a 16 year old Rotary Exchange Student, and became like a daughter to us. She later invited us to her wedding, inviting me to walk her down the aisle alongside her father, and even honoured me with the first dance at her wedding … ahead of her dad! My wife and I treasure the pictures and memories of spending time with her family and ours in the Galapagos Islands. She has since named her son after me. Stefi is now 34 years old and we love having her in our lives.

SERVICE ABOVE SELF (ROTARY’S GLOBAL MOTTO)

My Rotary club has offered opportunities to meet and have fellowship with people outside of my profession, my friendships and my cultural circle. There are so many people whose contributions and commitments to “Service Above Self” I greatly admire, and they are the reason I remain a Rotarian.

ROTARY’S GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO END POLIO

I have all my life prayed for the total eradication of polio and Rotary gave me the chance to work on this possibility with their global END POLIO campaign since 1979. My sister had polio and lived with its horrible effects until she passed a few years ago. At Rotary, I have served as Club Chair and District Chair to End Polio. I also started the Purple for Polio Gardens project, raising thousands of dollars for eradication through inoculations. My garden signs still can be seen in many parts of Southern Ontario.

Rotary has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever been offered. I have been a Rotarian for over 30 years. When I was invited to join the Rotary Club of Guelph, I was honoured beyond words. I immediately agreed to join and give back to the world and my community … and I have never looked back. Rotary is a world-wide family. If you go anywhere in the world, you are welcome to attend the local Rotary Club and will be greeted like family!

50+ YEARS AS A ROTARIAN

When I first thought of joining Rotary some 50 years go, I asked a friend who belonged how I could join. His answer was “You can’t – you have to be invited into Rotary.” At that time, your acceptance was based upon your vocation and Board of Directors approval. The purpose of this was to ensure that Rotary avoided becoming top heavy with any profession, such as lawyers, accountants, teachers, etc. Unbeknownst to me, my friend submitted my name and profession to the Rotary Club of Guelph and I was subsequently informed that I was approved for membership. I joined in 1983 and was assigned to three committees to provide “Service Above Self.”

Today, membership in Rotary is open to adults of any age that have a desire to provide community and international service.

My main purpose for joining Rotary was to network with other managers and professionals within the community, and meet interesting people with shared values. It was through the leadership of some of these executives that the Evergreen Centre, Hospice, Life Line, KidsAbility, to name just a few were developed in Guelph.

Being a part of Rotary is an excellent way of expanding your network within the City of Guelph and beyond. Rotary is highly recognized around the world. It is as exciting to me today to be a Rotarian as it has been for over 50 years.

HOW ROTARIANS CAN AND DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

A Rotarian is someone who, through their efforts:

Digs wells from which they will never drink.
Restores eyesight for those they will never see.
Builds houses they will never live in.
Vaccinates children they will never meet.
Plants trees they will never sit under.
Educates children they will never know.
Feeds hungry people, regardless of colour, race, or politics.
Knows real happiness.