WHAT IS ROTARY?

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build good will and peace in the world.  The first Rotary club was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, in Chicago. 

The Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise, one of 7 Rotary Clubs in the Truckee Meadows, was chartered on April 13, 1989 and  consists of 55+ Rotarians working with youth, helping our community and playing an active part in World Community Service.

Each Rotary Club has the freedom to set its own community and international project priorities. In addition, all Rotary Clubs support and/or participate in worldwide programs such as the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the Ambassadorial Scholar program, and the Group Study Exchange program.  

Rotarians are expected to apply the Rotary Four Way Test as they conduct business, and live their lives.  

THE OBJECT OF ROTARY

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:

FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND: 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 of serve society;

THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

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AVENUES OF SERVICE

By serving on a committee all Sunrise Rotarians are involved in one or more of the Four Avenues of Service.

VOCATIONAL SERVICE - The promoting of professional and ethical conduct in business, and assisting youth in making career choices. By participating in Career Coach Day, Rotarians are paired with a middle school student, and introduce the student to professionals in a career that interests the student. Some Rotary meetings are held at a business within the community so that Rotarians may learn about different vocations.

CLUB SERVICE - The tasks that are necessary for the functioning of a strong Rotary Club. These tasks include holding office, editing the club bulletin, serving on club committees, attending club meetings, and helping to schedule the weekly programs.

COMMUNITY SERVICE - Rotary Clubs identify needs within their community and then act upon these needs. Reno Sunrise has partnered with Virginia Palmer Elementary School in Sun Valley. The Club provides shoes and jackets for students in need. Club members have donated time and materials to provide for better drainage in a school playground. Club members work with second grade students to help them improve their reading skills. Many club members are also involved in community service on their own. For example one member volunteers for a program that provides health services to children living in low income areas.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE - Rotary Clubs support projects that promote international goodwill and humanitarian need. Reno Sunrise has shipped medical supplies to Argentina, and tee shirts and shoes to Botswana. Through the Rotary Youth Exchange program, the Club gives local high school students the opportunity to spend a year in another country, and the Club hosts a foreign student for a year. Though the Ambassadorial Scholar program the club has hosted scholars from Poland, Russia, the Philippines, Wales and Ghana.

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THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is the fund raising arm of Rotary International  For information on The Rotary Foundation, look at The Rotary Foundation page.

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BECOMING A ROTARIAN

There is always a place in Rotary for those who believe in and demonstrate a commitment to the Rotary Ideal of Service. A Rotary club is for those interested in putting Service above Self, broadening their circle of friends and acquaintances, networking with others in the mainstream of community life, increasing their knowledge of other businesses and professions, and having fun while serving others.

Members are chosen to represent their respective occupations, businesses, or professions, and must serve in an executive capacity or with some discretionary authority. This includes those who are self-employed, or retired.

If you are not a Rotarian and you live or work in the Reno/Sparks area, and you are interested in learning more about Rotary, or about any of our programs, please contact us by email at: info@renosunrise.org.  We would be pleased to talk to you about Rotary and how you, too, may nominated to become a member of this International service organization. 

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WHAT IS EXPECTED

Members of the Rotary Club of Reno Sunrise are expected to attend weekly meetings starting at 7:00am Friday mornings. Most Rotary meetings consists of fellowship, club business, and a program. Programs are presented by speakers from the community, and relate of one of the Four Avenues of Service. Meetings last about 90 minutes. Although Rotarians are expected to attend at least 60% of the meetings, they may "make up" at other Rotary Clubs. Many Rotarians look forward to making up when they are traveling within the United States, or traveling out of the country. Rotarians are expected to participate in the Four Avenues of Service. The level of participation is determined by the interests and time constraints of each member.

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FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

There are annual financial obligations to the Club.  These obligations include annual dues and contributions to the Club's projects, and to The Rotary Foundation.  Additional expenses include breakfast each week, and social functions several times during the year. 

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