June is Rotary Fellowship Month
Rotary Fellowships Month - June is designated as “Rotary Fellowships Month” by the RI Board to recognize the importance of international fellowship and good will among Rotarians with similar recreational interests, vocations, and health and medical issue-oriented interests, to promote increased participation in fellowships and increase understanding of this program. The RI Board encourages fellowships groups to highlight activities through projects, activities, and events in celebration of “Rotary Fellowships Month” in June.“Fellowship is wonderful; it illuminates life’s pathway, spreads good cheer, and is worth high price.”
Rotary Founder, Paul Harris
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.
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 favourite recreational or professional activities.
Many fellowships also use their special interests to serve others. For example, the Fellowship of Canoeing Rotarians has organized clean-ups 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.
For Fellowships specific to District 9700 see the ‘Membership/PR’ dropdown on the District website.