Think you know Rotary? Think again
Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Engadine in Australia for providing much of the contents of this page.
Many people don’t fully understand what we do and who we are in Rotary. There are a number of myths about Rotary that we need to debunk. So we thought we’d share with you some answers to the TOP 10 myths we bump into out there in the community
Myth 1 – Rotary is for men only
Rotary International began in 1905, and for the first 84 years of its existence, it is true that women were not admitted into membership. Rotary changed its legislation in 1989 and today women represent approximately 22% of Rotary membership in Great Britain and Ireland. Leadership positions filled by women are well above this percentage.
Our local Spalding Rotary club includes both men and women and the past two club presidents were both women.
They are welcome in Rotary, and we are keen to increase our female membership.
Myth 2 – Rotary is for old people
Currently in our Spalding Rotary Club, a majority of us are near or post-retirement but we welcome new members of any age who want to make a contribution.
Myth 3 – You have to attend every week
At Spalding Rotary we have no requirement to attend a fixed number of meetings. We do meet on the second and fourth Monday of the month, and members are encouraged to attend whenever possible, but we understand that there are many demands on everyone’s time. In addition to regular club meetings, Rotarians have other ways to become involved, such as fundraising activities, community service projects, and social events. Some members are able to attend every meeting, but some prefer to contribute in other ways. We prefer to focus on what you can give, not what you can’t.
Myth 4 – Rotary is only for Doctors, Lawyers and CEOs
Our local Rotary’s membership base is a broad cross section of people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and professions. Our diversity is our strongest asset. We do have former bank managers in our club but also members with teaching and policing experience, alongside someone who had a career inthe RAF. Every job and profession is represented in Rotary somewhere. Work from home? Just starting out in business? Moving up through the ranks? Made it to the top? Retired? There is a role for you in Rotary.
Myth 5 – Membership is by invitation only
Anyone can visit and join a Rotary club. There are no secret handshakes or ‘member only’ rituals in Rotary. We accept members from all walks of life, and have no cultural or religious barriers or expectations. Anyone who is interested can get in touch using the ‘Contact’ tab at the top of this page and ask to attend a meeting with at least five days notice. One of our members will gladly host you and tell you all about it. If after attending a few meetings, you have shown interest in joining a club you will more than likely be invited to join. At Rotary Cambridge, we also welcome new Associate Members for up to a year, to allow them to try us out without committing long-term.
Myth 6 – Rotary is a religious organisation or a secret society
Rotary is non-religious and non-political. We have no secret handshake, no secret meetings and no secret rituals. It is an open organisation of men and women who simply believe in helping others.
Myth 7 – All Rotarians do is have formal meals
Yes, we meet for a meal once a month (and some of them are informal), but you’ll soon realise that’s not the only thing we do. Rotary clubs raise funds to support their charitable projects for our local South Holland community. We run several successful competitions and events for children. Behind the scenes there are many less obvious, hands-on ways that Rotarians contribute to the community. At many of our meetings we have fascinating talks from a wide range of knowledgeable speakers. We also organise other social events, including walks, theatre trips, visits to places of interest and fundraising picnics.
Myth 8 – You’ve seen one Rotary club, you’ve seen them all
There are over 46,000 Rotary clubs in the world (over 1,600 in Great Britain and Ireland) and no two are the same. They are all unique, with unique members, unique projects, and unique culture. Each has its own group of officers who administer the club autonomously. One of them is just right for you! And once you are a member of one Rotary club, you can visit any other club in the world and will receive a warm welcome. Rotary Cambridge has a special link with the Rotary Club of Siena, Italy and contact with clubs in Sweden and South Africa.
Myth 9 – You cannot discuss your business or profession in Rotary
The first ever Rotary meeting, 1905 in Chicago, was initiated to serve the professional and social interests of its members. But as Rotary grew, members began pooling their resources and contributing their talents to help serve communities in need. Rotary is now the world’s premier humanitarian service organisation, but business networking does play a (very small) part in our activities.
Myth 10 – Rotary is an “old fashioned” organisation, with boring and ritualistic meetings
As a century old organisation, it’s reasonable to expect that there are some long observed traditions in some clubs. But the very highest levels of Rotary leadership, both at global and local level, are encouraging clubs to innovate and become more progressive in the way they do things. Every club is different. Some are more progressive, and some have a more traditional culture. But let there be no doubt, Rotary is changing for the better.
Rotary Cambridge has eliminated many of the old fashioned meeting protocols without throwing out the essentials for the running of an efficient event.
We think these myths have been totally busted! Why don’t you try us and join an organisation that’s been going for many decades but is always evolving?
Learn more here
The graphic
The graphic was produced by Susan Rogers who worked with a designer to bring the idea to life. Part of the deal was that Rotary had the copyright for it. Susan is a member of the newly formed Adventurers Rotary Club based in North Yorkshire.
