District 1040

Sowerby Bridge Rotary Club

Christ Church and the Rochdale Canal at  the heart of Sowerby Bridge

Welcome to the Sowerby Bridge

Rotary Club Website

.

 

The Rotary Movement is an organization of business and professional men and women united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotarians in over 32,000 clubs and 168 countries. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.

Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self”, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the movement.

If you are interested in joining the Rotary Movement, do come along to one of our meetings on a Monday evening. Guests are always welcome as are visiting Rotarians. For more information, look on the Contact Us page.

 

 

 

Some History of Rotary that may be of interest

 

Rotary was conceived and founded in 1905 by a Chicago lawyer named Paul Harris through his loneliness as a stranger in a large city.  His original concept was a club for businessmen who had similar ideals and qualities as himself and who, he believed, would look beyond making money out of each other.

 

He invited three such business friends to pursue his idea, and the first meeting of these four took place on February 23^rd 1905.  The name ‘Rotary’ was given to the group simply because of the fact that they met in rotation in each others offices.

 

Initially, these four members sought to help each other in business but as the idea of Rotary fellowship grew so did their belief that the use of Rotary for getting business

should be discouraged, and that has been the general understanding ever since.

By 1910. 16 Rotary Clubs had been formed and the first non-American Club was founded in Canada in 1911.  Later that year Clubs were formed in Europe and the organisation changed its name to the International Association of Rotary Clubs.

 

By 1914, 8 Clubs had been formed in Great Britain and Ireland and they formed themselves into the British Association of Rotary Clubs though subsequently it affiliated with the International Group.

 

In 1922, the organisation took its present form when all Clubs came under the umbrella of Rotary International which now embraces more than 30,000 Rotary Clubs in 165 countries.  The movement is now worldwide and has one and a quarter million members all linked to a common purpose of “Service above Self”.

 

The Sowerby Bridge Club was chartered in 1955, 50 years after the first Club was formed.

 

WHAT IS ROTARY

 

It is a service organisation of business and professional leaders united worldwide to help those in need, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work towards world understanding and peace.

 

The principles of service, understanding and goodwill are achieved through the fellowship which members of Rotary enjoy within their Club, their District and throughout the world.

 

Rotary is non-political, non-sectarian and has no connection to any other organisation, and offers friendship to all.

 

It draws its members from men and women of executive responsibility who are in a position to influence the conduct of their particular business or profession.  Rotary tries to achieve a class section of the local business and professional community.

 

Rotary has a Four Way Test which members are expected to have regard to:-

Of the things we think, say or do

 

       a) Is it the truth?

       b) Is it fair to all concerned?

       c) Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

       d) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

 

Each Rotary Club meets weekly. Some meetings at lunch time, others in the evening, with a small number meeting at breakfast time.

 

To get the most out of Rotary, as well as contributing most to it, regular attendance at the weekly meetings is recommended.

 

Members of a Rotary Club are privileged to visit any other Club in the world, when away on business or on holiday, and can always be assured of a warm welcome.

 

On becoming a member of Rotary one is given a distinctive lapel badge which should be worn at all times whenever possible and encourages friendship with strangers who recognise the badge.

 

WHAT DOES A ROTARY CLUB DO?

 

Each Rotary Club is autonomous but works within the framework of rules laid down by Rotary International.

 

It elects its own President on an annual basis, also its own officers, i.e. Secretary, Treasurer.

 

The Club is managed by a Council of elected members who have the responsibility for spending decisions.

 

It operates a number of Committees in line with rules laid down by Rotary International.  The President nominates the members who will serve on each Committee and also names a Chairman to head each Committee.

 

Each year the Club holds an Assembly at which the various Committee Chairmen put forward their programme proposals for fund raising and spending in the forthcoming year.  These programmes are debated and those accepted are approved.

 

Each year the Treasurer presents his audited accounts for the year and his budget for the forthcoming year.