THE ROTARY CLUB OF WATERLOOVILLE
ROTARY - SERVICE BEFORE SELF
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A sociable bunch
WHAT IS ROTARY?
Rotary was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris in Chicago, the name "Rotary" was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among member's offices. From that small idea in the USA the organisation has expanded worldwide. Today, the term Rotary is short for Rotary International, a worldwide association of local clubs that is the largest service organisation of business and professional people in the world with some 1.2 million members, operating in 187 countries and geographical regions. In Great Britain and Ireland there are over 63,000 members in 1819 clubs.
The organisation exists for men and women to provide service in the community al local, national and international level, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations and work for goodwill and peace in the world.
Rotary serving the Community
Rotary is an international humanitarian service organisation. The men and women of Rotary volunteer their time and resources to help others in their local communities and throughout the world.
Each Rotary club carries out a variety of service projects that address critical issues including poverty, hunger, illiteracy, substance abuse, natural disasters and pollution. Service to youth, especially children at risk, is a major emphasis. Rotary sponsors service clubs for youth and young adults and offers career development and mentoring programmes.
Rotary Foundation
The Foundation is Rotary's own charity; it is dedicated to furthering international understanding, goodwill and peace. The Foundation administers the 3-H fund, which seeks to alleviate the problems of the disadvantaged throughout the world under the headings of Health, Hunger and Humanity. The projects supported under the programme are usually beyond the capability of a single club or group of clubs to support.
What are we doing about it - 1?
The Foundation's most ambitious project so far has been Polio-Plus, a campaign to help the World Health Organisation UNICEF to immunise the world's children against polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping couch and tuberculosis. The project has been outstandingly successful in reducing the effect of disease, especially Polio, in Africa. The work is ongoing and at the moment the medical staff are struggling to maintain the programme in countries where local prejudice has linked the immunisation programme with the spread of AIDS.
What are we doing about it - 2?
In response to yet more depressing news of another disaster threatening the survival of millions of people Rotarian Tom Henderson from Helston in Cornwall decided to find another way of meeting the needs of the victims. His solution was incredibly simple - aren't all great ideas? A standard robust box containing an agreed selection of essential items to meet the survival needs of those most chronically affected by natural and man-made disasters wherever they occur. For details of how Tom's has helped tens of thousands of people worldwide look up www.shelterbox.org
What are we doing about it - 3?
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Every Christmas the club organises a "shoe box appeal", gathering some small presents packed in a shoe box for distribution to children in poor areas of the world. The club is most ably supported in this venture by local schools that between them provide around 700 boxes every year to needy souls.
What are we doing about it - 4?
In what has become something of a tradition, members of the club gather outside the ASDA store in Waterlooville just before Christmas and add a bit of seasonal cheer on the lead up to the big day. The people of Waterlooville respond generously to our efforts and their contributions enable us to support many local and National charities.
