June is Rotary Fellowships Month
Make New Friends Around the World
June is Rotary Fellowships Month. Rotary Fellowships are international, independently organized groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who share a common vocation or recreational interest. Rotary Fellowships give their members the opportunity to have fun, make new friends around the world, and enhance their experience in Rotary. Examples of Rotary Fellowships are: bird watching, golf and lawyers. Wine is a Fellowship group but not Heineken beer. Why not start one?
Rotary Fellowships began informally in 1928 when Rotarians with a shared interest in the international language Esperanto joined together. In 1947, a group of Rotarian boating enthusiasts began flying the Rotary flag from their crafts, calling themselves the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians — which now holds the distinction of being the oldest continuing fellowship. The scope of fellowships has changed significantly over the years, but their purpose remains the same: to unite Rotarians in friendship and provide opportunities to enjoy favorite recreational or professional activities.
Many fellowships also use their special interests to serve others. For example, the Fellowship of Canoeing Rotarians has organized cleanups of polluted rivers; members of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians conduct training sessions for Rotarians and others in
their community; and members of the International Fellowship of Rotarian Scuba Divers join local Rotary clubs to undertake service projects on each of their diving trips.
Rotary International has established specific policies for forming a Rotary Fellowship. The RI Board of Directors evaluates each prospective group before deciding whether to formally recognize it. However, each fellowship operates independently of RI, with its own rules, dues requirements, and administrative structure. Membership is open to all Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors.
To learn about the fellowships currently recognized by RI, go to www.rotary.org/fellowships. You will find a listing of existing fellowships, as well as a directory that includes contact information for each group. To learn more about a particular fellowship, or to inquire about joining, contact the group directly. Members will be happy to hear from you!