Prospective Member Information

Thank you for your interest in the Rotary Club of Washington Missouri.

Our History

Paul P. Harris, an attorney, wanted to create a professional group with the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth. On 23 February 1905, Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey gathered at Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. This was the first Rotary club meeting. They decided to call the new club “Rotary” after the practice of rotating meeting locations.

Within five years, clubs had formed across the country, from San Francisco to New York.

The Objective of Rotary

To encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• • FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  • SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
  • THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
  • FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test

A nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:

Of the things we think, say or do

1. 1. Is it the TRUTH?
   2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
   3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
   4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The work of Rotary

It all begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless
ways, we’ve focused our efforts in six key
areas to maximize our impact. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs, and we have a proven record of success in addressing them:

• • Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
  • Disease prevention and treatment
  • Water and sanitation
  • Maternal and child health
  • Basic education and literacy
  • Economic and community development

The Five Avenues of Service

We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad. These are the foundations of our club activity.

• Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
• Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
• Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
• International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.
• Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange.

Becoming a Rotarian

There is a process for becoming a member that is facilitated by a sponsor who is a current member in good standing. Your sponsor has the necessary forms and can guide you though this process.

 Club Meetings

We meet each Thursday at Noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Washington.

 Club Projects

There are several large projects that are best carried out through wide member participation, among them: The Annual Radio Auction, Annual Car Raffle, Annual Town & Country Fair Beverage Tent, Annual Riverfront Trail Days and the Family Music & Heritage Festival.

Many other opportunities for service are available throughout the year.

 Yearly Dues and costs associated with membership, billed semiannually (Updated as of 2023):

1. 1. 1. Rotary International Dues                       $ 160 per year
      2. Meals – (48 weeks x $9.21)                      $ 442 per year
      3. Optional Pancake Breakfast Tickets*    $ 120 per year
      4. Optional Foundation Contribution**    $ 150 per year

                                             TOTAL           $ 872 per year

* The Pancake Breakfast is an annual fundraiser and you receive tickets that you may sell or distribute as you see fit. Tickets are included in your dues bill to simplify the transaction.

** The Optional Foundation Contribution is a convenient way for you to participate in the Rotary International Foundation and accumulate points towards a Paul Harris Award. Each $1,000 that you give to the Foundation results in a recognition. The Foundation is an important aspect of Rotary International’s work, more can be learned from our Foundation Chair.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the club at lunch, conversations with your potential sponsor, or visiting Rotary on the web at www.rotary.org.

Are you interested in joining Rotary? Click the button below to start the application process. If you do not yet have a sponsor, one will be assigned to you.