Sequim Sunrise Rotary - About Rotary

Rotary is the oldest service club in the world. There are approximately 32,000 Rotary clubs in nearly 170 countries worldwide which form a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, all volunteering their time, experience, and efforts to serve their local community and the world.

Rotary is organized at club, district, and international levels to carry out its program of service. Rotarians are members of their clubs, and the clubs are members of a global association known as Rotary International. Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of the standard constitution and the constitution and bylaws of Rotary International. Clubs are grouped into 529 Rotary districts, each led by a District Governor who is an officer of Rotary International and represents the RI board of directors in the field. While the Rotary International president is the highest officer of RI, the chief administrative officer of RI is the general secretary, who heads a staff of about 600 persons working at the international headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, USA, or in one of 7 international offices around the world.

Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the local community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

The main objective of Rotary is service - in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotary's community service projects address many of today's most critical issues - children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. Rotary also supports programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self."

Members are expected to attend weekly club meetings, and must pay annual dues to their clubs, their Rotary district, and Rotary International. An attendance record of 50% is required. Any missed meeting must be made up within 14 days before or after the regular weekly club meeting. To accommodate busy schedules, there are various opportunities to make up missed meetings.
Members are also expected to participate in local or international activities and projects of their club.

THE ROTARY CLUB OF SEQUIM SUNRISE

Members of the Rotary Club of Sequim (the “Sequim Noon club”) sponsored the establishment of a second Rotary club in Sequim during the 1986 Rotary year. The new club, designated “The Rotary Club of Sequim-Dungeness Valley,” was chartered on December 24, 1986, with 35 members. The name of the club was changed to “The Rotary Club of Sequim Sunrise” in 1998.

As of July 1, 2009, Sequim Sunrise Rotary is a diversified club of 81 members who represent the demographics of the Sequim community. Club members have a wide variety of ages, job skills, and personal interests. The club has been a strong supporting force in the community, working on parks, providing assistance to the Boys & Girls Club, helping with Meals-on-Wheels and supporting the youth of the community. Sequim Sunrise Rotary historically has raised funds annually through a Clamfest in the early days of the club (since discontinued), a Rotary dinner/auction, an annual garage sale (since discontinued), a waffle breakfast, the sale of poinsettias for the Christmas holidays, and so forth. The club is currently developing a new fundraiser - the "Display the Flag" initiative.

Past International Service includes "hands-on" work and the contribution of funds to a school in Colima, Mexico (above), funding for the drilling of a water well in Mozambique (below), and contributions to other world service projects.

CLUB HISTORY: THE PINK CAPS

The first Sequim Sunrise Rotary Garage Sale was held at the McClay School building in 1997. With two buildings and a large yard to be used for the sale and parking, it was realized that club members needed some way to be identified, both for security and assistance. Club member Shorty Oliver, the owner of a novelty supply business, suggested the idea of having Rotarians wear distinctive headgear. He showed his catalog to Jim Pickett, Chairperson for the garage sale, and Jim selected the bright pink hat as one that would do the trick. It is probably obvious to all that other club members were not consulted on this selection.

The cap was judged a success (by Jim) and remains to this day the work cap for the club. Although the pink cap is not worn for every service project, many feel that it is quite spectacular to see when worn by a large group of members at one of the club's projects.

Find out more about Rotary by visiting the Rotary International web site .

Information in part of this section came from the: About Rotary and the RI Programs pages on the Rotary International web site