AN INTRODUCTION TO ROTARY
What is the main objective of Rotary?
The main objective of Rotary is service — in the community and throughout the world. Rotarians build goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary motto is "Service above Self."
THE ROTARY INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION
Rotary International is a global network of service volunteers. It is the world's largest service organisation for business and professional people, with some 1,210,905 members operating in 168 countries world-wide.
What about Rotary in the United Kingdom?
There are some 58,000 Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland in 1,845 clubs. Under the organisation of RIBI. They help those in need and work towards world understanding and peace. It is a fulfilling role, and Rotarians can get involved as much or as little as their time will allow.
But there is much more. Clubs meet on a regular basis, which allows members to build firm friendships. Every Rotarian has a right to attend any Club meeting anywhere in the world, so there is always somewhere to go, and people to meet, wherever business or leisure travel may take you.
Various Clubs have different emphases, which can reflect differences in size. A small market town may have a Club of perhaps 20 members, whereas in large centres the number can be closer to 100. Some concentrate on local projects whilst others may look to another country to undertake an international project. Each Club decides how it wants to use the resources it has available
WHAT DO ROTARIANS DO?
Rotarians — men and women alike — volunteer their efforts to improve the quality of life in their own communities and beyond their communities' borders. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Club membership represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders.
Rotarians initiate community projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine service projects based on local needs.
Rotarians work with and for youth to address challenges facing young people today. Through participation in Rotary-sponsored Interact clubs (for secondary school students), Rotaract clubs (for young adults), and Rotary Youth Leadership awards, young people worldwide learn leadership skills and the importance of community service. Rotary Youth Exchange gives high school students the opportunity to broaden their world view and build international friendships.
In large cities often plagued by urban violence, Rotary has the community-based network to help. Rotary-sponsored projects and conferences address the root causes of violence such as drug abuse, poverty, lack of role models, and gangs.
THE HISTORY OF CHELSEA ROTARY CLUB
Chelsea Rotary Club was first chartered on 10 July 1928. The Club's founding president were George W Hammond and Joe Huxley.
The original venue was the Rembrandt Hotel. In 1958 the Club moved to Chelsea's Crosby Hall and stayed there until 1984 when it moved back to the Rembrandt Hotel. In 2002 the Club moved to Jury's (Kensington) Hotel. The Club now meets at the temporary venue of The Regency Hotel, 100 Queen's Gate, South Kensington.
CHELSEA ROTARY CLUB IN THE COMMUNITY
Throughout its history the Chelsea Club has been active in the community supporting Cheyne Hospital for Children, Chelsea Boys Club, organising and supporting barbeques for disabled and disadvantaged children and participating in Rotary's "Kids Out". Each year the Club also hosts an annual Christmas concert for Chelsea old folk which remains a popular item in the community's calendar.
Chelsea also contribute with partner clubs in Hammersmith, Fulham, Shepherds Bush and Kensington to the Rotalec programme which provides drug education for school children in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and the City of Westminster.
CHELSEA'S LINKS WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL ROTARY CLUBS
Chelsea Rotary Club has links with the Rotary Clubs of Beaune and Epernay in France. It is also linked with the Rotary Clubs of Novarra in Italy and Antwerp (West) in Belgium. Friendly association also exists with the Corleone Club of Sicily in Italy and other clubs around the world.
THE CLUB PRESIDENT'S FAMOUS CHAIR
The distinctive carved oak chair used by many Chelsea Rotary Club Presidents over the years has an interesting history. Made from wood recovered from the bombed ruins of Old Chelsea Church, the chair commemorates the death in Chelsea during the Second World War of President Willie Kentish, Vice President Frances Price and Acting Club Secretary George White. These members, together with some of their families, lost their lives during an air raid on 16 April 1941. Also commemorated is Rotarian Rudolph Grosvenor of Chelsea Club, who died in a similar raid in September 1940.
The chair now takes pride of place at all Chelsea Club meetings and is a unique part of the Chelsea Club's history.
Chelsea in the Springtime is a delight:
