The Rotary Club of Portobello, Edinburgh

Becoming a Rotarian

If you live within the local community; you currently belong to a professional organisation or trade OR if you are a retired professional and you would like to become a member of the club, then we would love to hear from you.

While you're thinking about it, we've put together the following list of Frequently Asked Questions.....

What is Rotary about?

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries.

What is involved in becoming a member?

An important distinction between Rotary and other organizations is that membership in Rotary is by invitation. Rotary clubs invite individuals to join and become members.

Membership is drawn from the business and professional community and those who live within the local area. To ensure the club represents the community there are limitations on membership from each profession or type of business. However, we are always pleased to hear from those interested in joining.

A person being considered for membership is invited by a member/sponsor to attend one or more club meetings to learn more about Rotary.

Can women become members of the club?

Of course! Our club actively promotes female membership.

How will becoming a club member benefit me?

Rotary membership provides the opportunity to:

Become connected to your community.
Work with others in addressing community needs.
Interact with other professionals in your community; assist with RI's international humanitarian service efforts.
Establish contacts with an international network of professionals.
Develop leadership skills.
Involve family in promoting service efforts.

What sort of activities will I be involved in?

In most cases, you are free to choose which activities you feel you would be of most help in - whether you are organising a fund-raising event or doing something to help within the local community. Rotarians often find that their associative professions allow them to apply their own individual skills and experience to certain projects. The spirit of Rotary very much revolves around 'team work', so your personal input counts no matter how much or how little your contribution in every respect.

What are my commitments to the club once I become a member?

As a member you have a commitment to attend club meetings on a regular basis. We appreciate that it is not always convenient, particularly for those still working or in a full-time career, to attend every week of the year, however the club expects its members to maintain at least a 50% attendance record in each Rotary year.

You can of course, make up your attendance at any time by visiting other Rotary clubs.

Can I visit other Rotary clubs?

Yes. The worldwide fellowship of Rotary is promoted through the accessibility of every club throughout the world to all Rotary members. Many members visit other clubs to make new friends, contacts and to make up their attendance.

What are the costs of annual membership?

The current subscription fee to the club and to Rotary International is £75 per member per year.

How do I become a member of Portobello Rotary Club?

If you are interested in finding out more about the club and about joining, you can contact us via this website. OR, If you know of anyone in your community who is already a member of the club, feel free to ask them for more information.

Where and when does the club meet?

The club meets on Wednesdays at 6.30pm at the Kings Manor Hotel, Portobello. (Click here for map).

What happens at Club meetings?

Our club meetings begin with a dinner which is followed by club announcements and then we usually are given a talk by a visiting guest speaker or sometimes one of our own club members.

On the first Wednesday of every month, our club meetings are normally followed by our council and committee meetings.

On the fifth Wednesday of a month, our members may invite partners or friends along to visit the club.

What other activities does the club run?

The Rotary Club of Portobello occasionaly organises special outings for its members at evenings and weekends. These events range from club golf competitions to organised visits to local museums, concerts and functions. We often tie in such events with fund-raising projects within the local community.

[ Top of Page ]