What is Rotary?
The main objective of Rotary is service in the workplace, in the community and throughout the world. Rotarians develop and support community service projects to address needs in their local communities and in the international community. Rotarians sponsor international student exchanges for high school age youth, offer college scholarships for foreign study and provide cross-cultural learning experiences for business and professional persons. Through the Polio Plus Program, Rotary has been a leader in the eradication of Polio worldwide. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self."
How Did Rotary Begin?
Rotary is the world's first service club. Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer from Vermont, and three of his friends started the Rotary movement in Chicago in February of 1905. The group wanted to recapture the friendly spirit that they had experienced in the small towns they grew up in and had lost in the bigger city. Their weekly meetings "rotated" among their offices, hence the name that would become internationally known.The Meredith Rotary Club was chartered on April 5, 1928 in Meredith, New Hampshire.
How Do I Join the Meredith Rotary?
Contact a club member who will become your sponsor to prose you for membership. You will be asked to meet with a Club member who will give you an overview of Rotary and our expectations of members. Your sponsor will nominate you for Club membership. Following approval by the Board of Directors, your nomination for membership is proposed to the Club. You will take the final step to become a member by participating in a formal induction ceremony.
When Does the Meredith Rotary Meet?
During the winter months, The Meredith Rotary Club meets each Wednesday evening at 6:00pm at Mame's Restaurant in downtown Meredith for a dinner meeting that runs about 90 minutes. Each meeting includes an outside speaker who addresses topics of interest to members. During the summer months, the meetings take place at The Waukewan Golf Club in Meredith.
What Are Attendance Requirements?
Good attendance is necessary to ensure the proper commitment to your fellow Rotarians and to Club projects. To retain your membership you are expected to attend at least 50% of the Club's weekly meetings each year. If you miss one of our club's meetings you are strongly encouraged to make up that meeting by attending the meeting of a neighboring Club. Members who miss four consecutive meetings without approved leave of absence may be dropped from the Club.
What are the Annual Dues?
The annual fee for the Rotary Club of Meredith is $100, which includes basic support of the local club, Rotary International, and a subscript to The Rotarian, the International magazine.
Will I participate in Club Activities?
Yes! As a Club member you will have the opportunity to participate in many Club projects and activities. You will be expected to serve on committees that determine the direction of the Club and to accomplish the goals of the Club. Our projects include an annual senior citizen Holiday Dinner, Wine Tasting and Dance Gala, funding a community activity sign in Hesky Park, annual college scholarships to graduating high school seniors and adults returning to school, providing wheelchairs to handicapped persons in developing countries, building clean water systems in Honduras, fish stocking of several lakes in New Hampshire and an annual clean-up of Meredith Bay. Past projects have included major funding of the Center Harbor Gazebo, Meredith Public Library Function Room, The Meredith Community Center, Science Center of New Hampshire Raptor Exhibit, Meredith Historical Society Building Fund, Hesky Park improvements, Inter-Lakes High School Auditorium lighting, sound system and musical instruments. All members are expected to participate in the Club projects. We are all proud of our achievements and hope to expand them in the future.
How Does the Rotary Club Raise Money?
Each February, the Meredith Rotary Club sponsors The Great Rotary Fishing Derby as its primary fund-raising activity. Thousands of fishermen help the Club raise tens of thousands of dollars that fund projects in Meredith, Center Harbor, Moultonboro and Sandwich. We also fund national and international projects through the Rotary Foundation and other Rotary Clubs.
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Is it the TRUTH? |
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Is it FAIR to all concerned? |
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Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? |
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Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? |
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Approximately 8,000 students between the ages of 15 to 18 study abroad each year under Rotary's Youth Exchange Program. |
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In 1985, Rotary created the Polio Plus Program with the goal of eradicating polio by 2005. To date, Rotary has committed more than $580 million dollars to this program. |
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The Meredith Rotary Club currently has 65 members. |
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The Meredith Rotary Club has donated more than one million dollars from its work in the community. |
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For additional information, please contact:
The Rotary Club of Meredith
PO Box 1210
Meredith, NH 03253
603-279-7600
Meredith Rotary Club
Service Above Self
Membership Information