Rotherham Sitwell Rotary

‘Service Above Self’

Information for Prospective Members

 

WHO WE ARE:

 

  Rotherham Sitwell Rotary is a service organisation dedicated to helping others—locally, nationally and internationally. Our activities are free from political or religious alignment, ensuring an inclusive environment for all. We contribute our skills and experience to support a wide range of projects, while also enjoying the fellowship of other Rotarians, partners, and families. We believe service and friendship go hand in hand. 

The club held its inaugural meeting on 9 June 1988, and our Charter was formally presented on 7 September 1988, with 26 Founder Members in attendance. We are proud to acknowledge our Mother Club, Rotherham Rotary, whose Charter was presented on 17 February 1921.

We meet every week, either as a Club at the Sitwell Park Golf Club or in committees in various venues.    

Our motto is “Service Above Self”.

Rotary International

We are part of the wider organisation of Rotary International - a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

The Rotary Foundation.

Although we support a range of local, national and international charities, Rotary has its own charity -  The Rotary Foundation. Its aims are to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.

Since 1985, Rotary International has led a global campaign to end the disease polio.  Although its work is still not finished, the End Polio Now campaign is one of the most successful global health campaigns in history. 

• 99.9% reduction in polio cases since Rotary launched the campaign in 1985.
• Nearly 19 million people who would have been paralysed are walking today, and 1.5 million lives have been saved.
• At the present time, only two countries remain endemic: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Object of Rotary.                                                      

Rotary’s guiding principles provide a strong foundation for our relationships and actions.  The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular

• FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
• FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test

The Four-Way Test is a non-political and non-religious ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships.
Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

 

WHAT WE DO:

We are a service organisation committed to transforming community needs—especially local ones—into practical, lasting solutions.

Although we undertake fund raising throughout the Rotary year (July 1^st – June 30^th), most of our funds are raised each Christmas.  If you live in Rotherham, you might have seen us collecting outside a supermarket or touring Rotherham with Father Christmas in his sleigh!

Each year we distribute all the funds we have collected to charities and good causes.  We do this using our Framework for Giving.

60% goes to four local charities chosen by Rotherham Sitwell Rotarians

10% goes to international charities nominated by the International Committee

30% goes into the General Fund to respond to proposals to support other charities or good causes.

The four local charities we support for 2025-26 are:

Rotherham Cancer Care Centre (Year 2 of 3)

Swinton Lock Activity Centre (Year 3 of 3)

Start a Heart 24/7 (Year 1 of 3)

and

Rotherham Families First (President’s Charity 1 year)

Meetings.

We meet every week either as a whole Club or in Committees.  Our meetings include social and fellowship events, guest speakers and decision-making “business” meetings.  We would hope that you can attend frequently in order to play a full part in the Club.  The Club’s regular meeting place is Sitwell Park Golf Club, Shrogswood Road, Rotherham S60 4BY.

Times and venues may vary but these will be notified in our monthly Bulletin.  Normally a two-course meal is served, the cost includes staff gratuities and a small contribution to Club funds to help cover meeting expenses.

On arrival you’ll be greeted by one or two Rotarians who have responsibilities for registering attendance and allocating seating: this is known as “Frats”.  Once registered, you’ll pay for your meal. 

Meetings typically commence with a Grace said by a Rotarian: this may be secular or arise from their own faith.

Occasionally we attend the meetings of other Rotary Clubs or service organisations especially when we are involved with joint projects.

 

HOW WE ARE ORGANISED:

COMMITTEES

Each Rotherham Sitwell Rotarian is a member of a committee which should match their skills, interests and expertise. Currently there are six committees each one with a Chair who co-ordinates the planning, carrying out and evaluation of projects.  The committees currently are:

Club & President’s Administration – ensures the smooth running of the Club and support the President during their year.        

Community – identifies & responds to local community projects

Rotary Foundation & International – supports global initiatives and The Rotary Foundation       

Membership & Social – encourages new membership and strengthens retention by coordinating a varied and welcoming programme of social activities

Fundraising - co-ordinates opportunities to raise funds for charities and good causes.

Publicity & Public Relations – promotes the work that we do

COUNCIL

The Club’s governing body is Council, which meets monthly and includes Club Officers (see below) and elected members who are mainly Committee Chairs. Minutes are circulated to Members of the Club once approved by Council members normally at the subsequent Council meeting. 

Any Club member is entitled to attend and observe or be invited to attend for specific items. 

CLUB OFFICERS.

The Club Officers are elected to lead the Club by ensuring effective operation, membership engagement and community impact.  While specific roles and responsibilities may vary, the core duties are as follows:

President                                  Leads and motivates; chairs Club and Council Meetings 

President Elect                         Is elected to be the President the following year and so “learns the ropes”! Chairs meetings in the President's absence.

Vice President                         Supports succession. Is elected to be the President the year after    the President -Elect.  Chairs meetings in the absence of the                President / President Elect 

Immediate Past President     Supports the President and offers advice and continuity

Secretary                                 Maintains records, issues notices and prepares reports and minutes.

Treasurer                                 Manages funds, prepares budgets and presents financial reports.

 

WHAT IT WILL COST:

Annual Subscription:

In 2025-26 the subscription is £120.   This is divided as follows:

Rotherham Sitwell Rotary Club	Covers Club administration	£9
Rotary District 1220	Supports training, events, youth programmes	£25
Rotary Great Britain & Ireland	National infrastructure, insurance, PR, support	£86
→ of which to Rotary International	Global Rotary dues	£33
→ retained by RGB&I	Insurance, training, communications, etc.	£53

Cost of meals and gratuities : approximately £22 each week you attend.

Cost of Social events:  depending on the nature of the event, between £10 and £40.  There are usually about eight different types of events each Rotary year.

Voluntary donations: these will always be your personal choice.

Time: typically, two to four hours a week depending on your personal circumstances: for the Christmas Collections, the time you give might be between six and ten hours per week.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Attend meetings, listen and ask questions!

If someone is introducing you to Rotherham Sitwell Rotary, find out information from them.

Check our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RotherhamSitwellRotary

Check our website (this also has links to Rotary International, Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland and District 1220) https://www.sitwellrotary.org.uk/

Read our monthly bulletins (which are on the website)

NEXT STEPS

Attend regularly to meet everyone and find out more

Make an application for membership

Have a discussion with the Membership Committee

Prepare for and undertake Induction

Ask questions especially with your allocated Mentor