FAQs
Q1 What is Rotary? What does it do?
Rotary is an international organisation (non-political and non-religious) with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs in most countries around the world. Its motto is “Service Above Self” where its members voluntarily give some of their time and expertise to help towards raising money for charitable purposes and to deal with issues such as poverty, health & sanitation, job training and education within their community.
Q2 How does Rotary meet these needs?
Typically Rotarians are in the forefront of providing and organising aid after disasters such as floods, earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions by providing medical supplies, clean water and food, temporary shelters and financing rebuilding work. Rotary finances the provision of a wide variety of educational opportunities as well as contributing significant amounts of money towards long-term projects, for example the ongoing worldwide campaign to eradicate polio and the restoration of sight for thousands of people every year.
Here in the UK, Poynton Rotary Club concentrates its efforts on helping and funding both individuals' and community projects, various charitable institutions and special needs organisations.
Q3 How does Poynton Rotary Club raise its money?
Every Rotary Club has its own projects for fundraising. Here in Poynton over the last few years we have established several events that, with the public’s generous participation, raise around £10,000 each year to distribute to worthy causes. However, most Rotarians will tell you they don’t take themselves too seriously and though raising money for charitable purposes often requires considerable time and effort, we probably wouldn’t put the time and effort in unless it was done with a degree of fun and enjoyment!
Q4 Who joins a Rotary Club?
Just about anybody can join a Rotary Club. Members are often in local business and trades, the professions, local administration and all other walks of life. However, Rotary looks for prospective members who feel they want to contribute to or be involved in their local community in some way, whilst also enjoying a range of social activities. Members can be male, female, single, married, active, retired and ages range from late 20's upwards.
Q5 What’s the commitment?
Currently, Poynton Rotary Club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday each month at the Deanwater Hotel, Woodford for an informal dinner at 8.00 pm. The one-course meal with coffee from a choice of menu costs £9.00 - £12.50. At the first of these meetings members discuss the club’s business, make decisions and plan activities. At the second there is less emphasis on the club’s business and instead members enjoy an after dinner talk given by a guest speaker.
The annual subscription is currently £100.00. New members are assigned to one of three committees that are respectively: Community & Youth; International & Foundation (sponsored projects); and Fundraising & Events.
Q6 What’s the structure of a Rotary Club?
Poynton Rotary Club consists of a President, secretary, treasurer and three committee chairmen (the executive) who are voted in annually. There are also several other posts and administration appointments. A club council consisting of the executive usually meets monthly and reports to the membership at business meetings. Any member may attend a council meeting and has an equal vote when a project or financial matter arises.
Q7 What else should I know about being a member?
Apart from needing to attend a minimum number of meetings, members are expected to support most social events and help with the club’s fundraising projects. Once assigned to a committee, new members can become actively involved with the committee’s projects and should be available to help their chairman in whatever way they can.
Q8 How can I find out more about Rotary to see if I would like to join?
You are welcome to attend one of our business meetings and join us for dinner (free, as our guest) to see how the club functions and what we are involved with. If you contact our club secretary Chris Ellis on 07774 982 844 or email him at c-jellis@hotmail.co.uk he will take your details, book you a meal at the next most convenient meeting and arrange to have someone look after you when you arrive.
