Frequently Asked Questions
Everyone has questions about why Rotary exists and what it can do for you as an individual
You’ve seen the logo everywhere. You probably know someone who is a Rotarian among your friends or family. And you are probably wondering if there’s a “secret handshake”.
The world of Rotary is as vast as the earth itself. If you have had limited or no contact with Rotary before, we have assembled a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to help you learn about our service organization one question at the time.
Please click on any of the questions below to expand and see the answer to an FAQ:
Is there a "secret handshake" in Rotary?
There are no secret handshakes and in fact, we have no secrets at all. Rotary is a globally-oriented organization that is open to the exchange of ideas that can make our world a better place.
Do you have to attend a Rotary meeting every week?
You are not required to attend every meeting, but many Rotary Clubs have established a minimum attendance rate for their members. Attendance is compulsory but we remind everyone that, like anything else in life, your Rotary experience is closely tied to your ability to attend meetings regularly.
That said, Rotarians are also encouraged to attend other Rotary Clubs, either in the local area, while visiting other cities across the U.S. or when traveling abroad. Developing new friendships and business contacts within the Rotary organization begins with wanting to be visible and engaged as a Rotarian.
Do you have to pay to belong to Rotary?
Membership in any professional or civic organization requires its members to pay dues on an annual basis. Each Rotary Club has a different fee schedule, usually established in its Bylaws and based on a number of factors (i.e. meals included, special assessments, location rental, etc.). You can always contact a Rotary Club and inquire about their fees.
In addition to fees, many Rotary Clubs participate in traditions like “Happy Dollars” where you share dollar for each personal announcement (celebrating a birthday, anniversary, graduation) or business plug. This is always done in a joyous rotation around the meeting room, giving each person a chance to share their happy thoughts.
Additional expenses include attending the Rotary Leadership Institute, a professional development and training event held 2-3 times a year, as well as fundraisers, dinner events or other Rotary celebrations that require the purchase of an individual ticket to attend.
Who can join Rotary?
Anyone with strong ethical and moral values and is interested in helping his or her community can become a Rotarian. Traditionally, Rotary encourages membership from people over 30 years of age who have established themselves in a profession or career path after their college years.
We also welcome future Rotarians who want to contribute with their knowledge, experiences, skills, backgrounds, and willingness to be of Service Above Self. It all starts with a visit to a local Rotary Club, so feel free to find one near your home or place of work by clicking here.
I don’t currently have a job. Can I still join Rotary?
Yes, Rotary membership is a great way to network with potential employers at a more personal level. There are many business owners and executives in the Central Florida area who belong to a local Rotary Club. This means that connecting with them can lead to additional introductions within their organizations.
That said, we must remind you that becoming a member requires you to pay membership fees and you should consider this before making a decision to join.
What can I expect to get from becoming a Rotarian?
Rotary is a volunteer service organization. You do not get paid to belong to Rotary and membership is a personal choice—which in turn opens up a world of experiences that derive from participating in Service Projects, Rotary Club Events and countless other opportunities.
Interested in joining a Rotary Club in Central Florida?
Rotary needs People of Action just like YOU to continue achieving its mission—and it all can start by requesting an invite to a Rotary meeting near your home or workplace. We continue building the next generation of Rotarian leaders to keep our wheel turning and fueling progress for our communities and the world as a whole.