The Rotary Club of Ottawa South (the “Club”) sees a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our community, and in ourselves.
About Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world. Rotary, through its 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Protect the environment
- Grow local economies
For more information about Rotary, please visit the Rotary International website www.rotary.org.
Why Become a Member?
Participation as an active member of the Rotary Club presents a number of advantages that includes:
- participation in a service organization with a rich history capable of assessing and responding to a diverse range of needs within the community and our country;
- increased awareness of your community and its leaders through association with Rotary and the many programs that are supported by The Rotary Club of Ottawa South;
- immediate access to the global Rotary network of Rotary clubs, partner organizations and charities;
- participation opportunities with Rotary hands-on projects; and
- membership in an organization dedicated to assisting and supporting community, national and international needs and activities.
Other benefits of membership include:
Rotary Global Rewards, our member benefits program, which offers discounts on products and services. It’s Rotary’s way of helping our members spend less so they can do more.
The Rotary International Convention is our biggest event of the year. Rotary members from more than 130 countries meet at the convention each year to celebrate our successes and make plans for the future.
Rotary Fellowships give members the chance to join a group of people who share similar interests, hobbies, or vocations. Some groups use their fellowship to make a positive difference.
Rotarian Action Groups unite Rotary members, family members, program participants and alumni who share their expertise in particular fields by collaborating with clubs and districts on projects.
Qualified candidates for Rotary club membership are adults of good character and business, professional, or community reputation who fit one of the following criteria:
- Serve as a community leader and builder
- Is a Rotary Foundation alumnus
- Hold or have held a position with discretionary authority in any worthy and recognized business or profession
Responsibilities of Club Membership
The club is the cornerstone of Rotary, where the most meaningful work is carried out. All effective Rotary members are responsible for these key elements:
- Participating in at least one service project that benefits our community, country and and/or world;
- Sustaining or increasing our membership base;
- Supporting The Rotary Foundation financially and through program participation; and
- Developing leaders capable of serving in Rotary beyond the club level.
- Regular meeting attendance
- Payment of annual membership dues
What Rotarians get out of Rotary depends largely on what they put into it. These membership requirements are designed to help members more fully participate in and enjoy their Rotary experience.
Rotary’s Guiding Principles
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
- The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
- 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;
- The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life; and
- The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Family Membership
The Family Membership allows a member and a spouse/ partner to become active members of the Rotary Club of Ottawa South, through the established membership approval process. Each member has the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as every active member and so are encouraged to attend club meetings, participate on projects, vote on club matters, and serve as club officers and on club committees.
NOTE: This program does not apply to Corporate/Organizational Members.
The two family members do not need to join at the same date but they can if they want.
Dues for Family Memberships
Annual membership dues for family memberships are discounted to make the introduction into Rotary more affordable. One of the spouses/partners must pay the dues and fees of a full Individual Member and their Spouse/Partner Family Member pays 50 percent of an Individual Member's club fees; Spouse/Partner Family Members must also pay 100 percent of the Rotary International and District 7040 base dues. The Rotary year is from July 1 to June 30. If an individual joins Rotary mid-year, the dues for that year would be pro-rated based on months.
How to Become a Member
We encourage you to attend at least two Club meetings prior to submitting your membership application for consideration. During this time, you will be contacted by a member of the Club to arrange an interview to discuss any questions you may have about the merits of joining the Club. Once you have completed and submitted your application, it will then be passed on to the Board of Directors for final approval.
For more information about our Club, including meeting times and location, please visit our website https://www.rotaryottawasouth.ca.