Rotary Club – More Fun than you think!

Orignally four business aquaintances headed by Paul P Harris, Attourney, began a regular business meeting in downtown Chicago in the United States on February 23, 1905. The members chose the name Rotary because initially they rotated subsequent weekly club meetings to each other’s offices, although within a year, the Chicago club became so large it became necessary to adopt a regular meeting place.

There are now 34,282 member clubs worldwide and visits by members are encouraged and welcomed by other member clubs, including those in other countries.

Many people consider their local Rotary Club to be a stuffy business institution – but nothing could be further from the truth.  Last year, I bumped into Joe Baxter at a festival stall in central Croydon, where we were both talking to the public about our respective services and enjoying a bit of banter.  Subsequently, Joe asked me to speak at the Addiscombe and Shirley Rotary where I took my audience through my infamous “Beekeeping, the Ultimate Buzziness Community” presentation.

I was invited this month as a guest to attend the wine tasting event at The Chateau and I would like to say a huge thank you to Joe, his wife Jean and members of the Addiscombe and Shirley Rotary for making me so welcome (on both occasions), for the delicious meal and the fun, jokes and general ambiance of the evening.  In addition, we had the company of members of the West Wickham Rotary and it was a real pleasure meeting with and being part of such a great group of people.

All Rotary Clubs are actively involved in raising funds for a multitude of charities.  Members volunteer their own time to these events and their involvement strengthens the bonds of friendship that are so evident at their weekly meetings.  Addiscombe and Shirley Rotary currently have blood pressure checks, a book/dvd/cd stall at Beddington Fair and a charity walk lined up for April/May .  Click here to view local Rotary events in the area and to find out more about how to become more involved – either as a Member or a Friend.