Rotary Fellowships are international, independently organised groups of individuals who share a common interest in recreational activities, hobbies, professions, or cultural identity.
These groups help expand skills, foster vocational development, and enhance the Rotary experience by exploring interests while developing connections around the world and they give their members the opportunity to have fun and make new friends around the world.
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Currently there are 107 Rotary Fellowships covering a very wide and diverse range of activities from: doctors to flying, from wildlife conservation to 4×4 vehicles, and from Esperanto to pickleball.
Many fellowships also use their special interests to serve others. For example, the Fellowship of Canoeing Rotarians has organised cleanups of polluted rivers, members of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians have hosted training sessions for Rotarians and the general public, and members of the Fellowship of Gin have raised funds to purchase Aquaboxes for distribution to disaster areas.
While most day-to-day fellowship activities take place online, the most successful Fellowships provide opportunities for members to meet in person.
For example, many of the sporting fellowships such as golf and cricket hold regional matches and world tournaments.
Fellowships related to travel or excursions plan trips and many fellowships often plan get-togethers at conferences and seminars.
Why are Rotary Fellowships so special?
- They help participants make lasting friendships outside their own club, district, or country.
- Enrich the Rotary experience beyond a club or district.
- Encourage engagement with other Rotarians, Rotaractors, programme participants, and alumni from a variety of cultures and regions.
- Unite people with a common interest from all over the world, to create a better understanding of the world.
- Allow individuals to explore new opportunities for service.
- Offer international leadership opportunities.
- Further vocational development through acquaintance with others of the same profession.
- Advance Rotary’s public image and identity.
- Introduce friends and family members to Rotary.
- Offer fantastic events and activities to fellowship members.
- Help maintain members’ interest in Rotary, and also attract new members.
Anyone can join a Rotary Fellowship. They do not have to be a Rotarian so it is a great way of introducing Rotary to a prospective member.
If you want to know more visit the fellowships website and explore the possibilities. If you have an interest not listed then start your own fellowship.
Save the date – June 14th at 7pm on Zoom
As part of the ‘InFocus’ programme watch an ‘Introduction to Rotary Fellowships’, where you can hear from and chat to Fellowship members.
