Rotary Fellowships -- Benefitting Membership?

Fellowship: Sharing Ideas and Connecting People Worldwide
by Amanda Runge, RI Programs Division

Rotarians often cite fellowship as the reason why they joined a Rotary club. With so many diverse Rotary clubs all over the world, the opportunity for connection and collaboration is truly inspiring. One of the ways in which Rotarians can bridge continents is through the Rotary Fellowships program. Rotary Fellowships are groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses and Rotaractors who unite to: share a common interest in worthwhile recreational activities, further their vocational development through acquaintance with others of the same profession, make new friends around the world, explore new opportunities for service, and of course, have fun!

How can Rotary Fellowships lead to Bigger, Better, Bolder clubs? Rotary Fellowships are a great way for Rotarians to share ideas and make new friends in Rotary. By joining a fellowship, Rotarians will experience the internationality of Rotary and form relationships that are the basis of future club to club partnerships for service projects. Rotarians involved in fellowships are among the most committed of our members, and their activities increase membership retention.

Rotary Fellowships informally began in 1928 when a group of Rotarians with an interest in Esperanto (a language derived from many European languages) joined together to practice their hobby. In 1947 Rotarians organized a group of boating enthusiasts, which became the Yachting Fellowship. These activities gained more attention and operated over the years under many different names, such as World Fellowship Activities, International Vocational Contact Groups, Rotary Recreational and Vocational Fellowships, and finally Rotary Fellowships. As of June 2010 there are 55 Board-recognized Rotary Fellowships covering all sorts of hobbies and professions, including music, doctors, and scuba diving, just to name a few. (There is even a new Rotarians On Social Networks Fellowship!)

Whether it is just for the fun of it, or to build relationships with others in your professional field, fellowships are a great addition to any Rotary experience. For more information on Rotary Fellowships visit visit www.rotary.org/fellowships