I am passionate about Rotary. The organisation does so much good in the world and gets relatively little recognition for it. Rotary began over a centuray ago. Paul Harris started the movement by visiting business friends in turn (Rotary) for fellowship and giving their time to contribute to society. Rotary continues with much the same ambition. The structure is more complex, but each club essentially continues as Paul Harris envisasged.
Worldwide, Rotary does some really significant work – the End Polio Now campaign, made more famous recently by the excellent work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is actually a Rotary project.
Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower
My own club is the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower, and they do some fantastic work. They run two huge events in our home town: Billericay Christmas Market and Summerfest. The money made – all of it – goes to some excellent causes and no overheads are taken. My club donates it to local and international causes.
A few years ago we supported Thriftwood and we frequently support BOSP. Mayflower has also supported international causes such as the Sankara Eye Hospital, Mary’s Meals and Child Rescue Nepal (formerly The Esther Benjamins Trust). The club has also sponsored individuals for sporting pursuits and educational acheivements. The funds raised are all out to good use.
Community and Fellowship
The club meets weekly, on a Thursday evening, eats together and hears a speaker. Occasionally, we have a fellowship evening. Regardless, the level of banter is high, the friendly insults fly and a good time is had by all. More importantly, we take this friendly culture into our events. Christmas Market has become the traditional start to Christmas in Billericay and people have moved to Billericay on the basis of the community spirit, forged by events such as this.
If you are near our club, come along to our events, or maybe to a meeting. If not, consider giving some time because it will be doing some good in the world.