Rotary Club of Chestermere
About Our Club
How did it all begin?
Rotary began over 110 years ago on February 23, 1905, with the vision of one man, Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who formed the first Rotary Club by inviting professionals from diverse backgrounds to join him in a weekly meeting to exchange ideas, form meaningful and lifelong friendships and to give back to their communities. Rotary's name came from the group's early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of it's members.
Who are we today?
Today Rotary is an international network of over 1.2 million people who share the vision to giveback to both our own community and to help provide aid around the globe, while also forming meaningful and lifelong friendships. Rotary is non-denominational, non-partisan and gender neutral. We welcome people from all walks of life who share a similar spirit of friendship and service work. Over the past 110 years and with 35,000+ clubs worldwide, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy and intelligence to help provide relief and sustainable solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues. Rotary's six areas of focus are to: promote peace and conflict resolution, to fight disease, to provide clean water, sanitation and hygiene, to save mothers and children, to support education and to help grow local economies in developing countries. And we do all this through volunteer work. We hold a 4 Star Rating with Charity Navigator - 91% of funds raised are spent directly on programs! Check out Rotary.org for more information about Rotary International.
The Rotary Club of Chestermere:
Our club came together in 2011 and Chartered in 2013. In the past years we've contributed over $90,000 to the Family Bike Park, and given donations to our local Food Bank, Senior's Week, Light it up Blue, Gifts of Kindness, Community Therapy Dogs, Lions Guide Dog Walk, Chestermere Whitecapper Quilters, Back Pack Program, Camp Chestermere and more. You may have already noticed the Life Jacket Loaner Station that our club built in 2016 at Chestermere's Anniversary Park. Every year we provide life jackets for swimmer's use at no charge, between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm, asking only that they return them to the station after use or by 9:00pm so they can be safely stored overnight. In 2018 we sponsored 4 local students to attend Rotary's Youth Development Programs: RYLA, RYPEN, and RAYEC. We've also donated to global aid relief through Shelter Box Canada every year, providing emergency shelter for families who have lost their home through conflict or natural disaster. In 2021, after 3 years of planning with the City of Chestermere, Aris Landscape Design and other partners, we created the Rotary Edible Forest, planting over 400 perennial fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs and flowers. We hold only one fundraising event per year and that's our Amazing Race - a fun and exciting half day of thrills with Teams of 4 racing around the City of Chestermere, completing physical and mental challenges, all in the effort to win the 1st place cash prize money of $1,000.00 (and bragging rights)!
Our club came together in 2011 and Chartered in 2013. In the past years we've contributed over $90,000 to the Family Bike Park, and given donations to our local Food Bank, Senior's Week, Light it up Blue, Gifts of Kindness, Community Therapy Dogs, Lions Guide Dog Walk, Chestermere Whitecapper Quilters, Back Pack Program, Camp Chestermere and more. You may have already noticed the Life Jacket Loaner Station that our club built in 2016 at Chestermere's Anniversary Park. Every year we provide life jackets for swimmer's use at no charge, between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00pm, asking only that they return them to the station after use or by 9:00pm so they can be safely stored overnight. In 2018 we sponsored 4 local students to attend Rotary's Youth Development Programs: RYLA, RYPEN, and RAYEC. We've also donated to global aid relief through Shelter Box Canada every year, providing emergency shelter for families who have lost their home through conflict or natural disaster. In 2021, after 3 years of planning with the City of Chestermere, Aris Landscape Design and other partners, we created the Rotary Edible Forest, planting over 400 perennial fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs and flowers. We hold only one fundraising event per year and that's our Amazing Race - a fun and exciting half day of thrills with Teams of 4 racing around the City of Chestermere, completing physical and mental challenges, all in the effort to win the 1st place cash prize money of $1,000.00 (and bragging rights)!
Where & when do we meet?
We meet virtually via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 5:00pm and in person on the 4th Wednesday for a "Social" at a local venue. Guests are warmly inviting to attend either a virtual meeting or one of our social events, but please RSVP prior to attending so that we can accommodate you. We know that for most people time is in short supply, but they still want to be involved in a meaningful way with their community. That's why we keep our meetings minimal, brief, relevant and inspirational. We have wonderful guest speakers at most of our meetings to address a variety of topics from the need for global aid, to the economic and political issues in our own city/province, along with other local service groups who are in need of support and assistance.
We meet virtually via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at 5:00pm and in person on the 4th Wednesday for a "Social" at a local venue. Guests are warmly inviting to attend either a virtual meeting or one of our social events, but please RSVP prior to attending so that we can accommodate you. We know that for most people time is in short supply, but they still want to be involved in a meaningful way with their community. That's why we keep our meetings minimal, brief, relevant and inspirational. We have wonderful guest speakers at most of our meetings to address a variety of topics from the need for global aid, to the economic and political issues in our own city/province, along with other local service groups who are in need of support and assistance.
How can you join?
Simple. Send an e-mail to rotarychestermere@gmail.com and arrange to attend one our club meetings, or meet with one of our members for a one-on-one session to find out more about who we are and what we do. There's no obligation or pressure to join us. In fact, we ask that you take your time to get to know us; and for us to get to know you.
Simple. Send an e-mail to rotarychestermere@gmail.com and arrange to attend one our club meetings, or meet with one of our members for a one-on-one session to find out more about who we are and what we do. There's no obligation or pressure to join us. In fact, we ask that you take your time to get to know us; and for us to get to know you.
What’s in it for you?
Primarily, a sense of satisfaction that enables you to connect with others to help make your own community and that of another community around the world a better place to live in. Humanitarian work is really it's own reward, however, doing it alongside like minded people and developing friendships is a big plus! With so little spare time to give, it's good to know that what you do give is appreciated and applied to it's best use. Every club is rooted in it's own unique community, and every club is composed of members who bring unique capabilities to the table. So, each club holds discussions about what their community needs from them and then rolls out a plan of action. Every Rotary club is eligible to apply for grants and other forms of support from Rotary International or from other Rotary clubs.
Primarily, a sense of satisfaction that enables you to connect with others to help make your own community and that of another community around the world a better place to live in. Humanitarian work is really it's own reward, however, doing it alongside like minded people and developing friendships is a big plus! With so little spare time to give, it's good to know that what you do give is appreciated and applied to it's best use. Every club is rooted in it's own unique community, and every club is composed of members who bring unique capabilities to the table. So, each club holds discussions about what their community needs from them and then rolls out a plan of action. Every Rotary club is eligible to apply for grants and other forms of support from Rotary International or from other Rotary clubs.