Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions that people ask about Rotary International
What is Rotary?
Rotary International is an association of Rotary Clubs worldwide. It's made up of more than 33,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. The members of these autonomous clubs are called Rotarians, all volunteering their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. Individual Rotary Clubs, in turn, belong to the global association called Rotary International.
How many clubs are there?
Rotary has over 33,000 clubs worldwide.
How many members are there?
There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians across the world.
What is my commitment to Rotary?
Rotarians can get involved in as much, or as little, of the club's activities as their time allows.
How is the Rotary Club of Westbourne different to others?
One of the key differences about the Rotary Club of Westbourne is that we meet at breakfast time, and meetings finish around 8.30am, which gives us all time to get to work to start our professional day. We encourage potential members to visit us initially at a projects & events focussed meeting so they can get to find out more about what our club does and to encourage them to get involved.
How do I become a member?
Firstly you can attend a few club meetings to learn more about Rotary and our club. If you are interested in joining, an existing member acts as your sponsor and submits your name to the club for membership consideration.
What are the qualifications of membership?
Anyone who has a desire to help others and is able to work alongside other like-minded people can apply to join Rotary.
What are the responsibilities of membership?
Members pay annual fees, some of which go to the global association, Rotary International, some to the district to which your club belongs and, of course, some to your own club. There are weekly meetings that members attend and they usually participate in local or international Rotary Club activities or projects. Clubs encourage members to aspire to club leadership or committee roles, but there is no obligation to do so.
How much does it cost to join?
1The current, annual cost of membership to the Rotary Club of Westbourne is £110.00. There is also a one-off joining fee of £15.00, which is used to pay for new member welcome information and Rotary membership pin.
What does the Rotary Club of Westbourne do?
We utilise the skills, enthusiasm, imagination and contacts of our members to come up with as many fun, unusual and successful ideas as possible, either to raise funds for charity or contribute to community projects or social events that help cement long term friendships.
Do Rotarians only belong to one club?
Every Rotarian is able to attend any club meeting in the world, so there is always somewhere to go and people to meet. However you can only be an actual member of one Rotary club.
Is Rotary a charity?
Rotary International itself is not a registered charity. However, the Rotary Foundation, which is supported by all Rotary Clubs, is a registered charity. As a club, we also managed a trust fund, The Rotary Club of Westbourne Trust Fund, which was a registered charity in the UK under the charity registration number of 1111184. In 2022, the club charity changed and became a charitable incorporated organisation under the name of Westbourne Rotary Club Trust Fund CIO under the new charity registration number of 1197774
When and where did Rotary start?
The Rotary organisation was founded in Chicago, USA, in 1905, and later became known as ROTARY INTERNATIONAL so Rotary is now into its second century of service! Westbourne Rotary was chartered as a fully fledged Rotary club in 1995.
Is there a minimum age to join Rotary?
We welcome everyone over the age of 18.