Rotary International is the oldest, and one of the largest, non-profit service organizations in the world. It was started by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905, as a way of meeting people from other professions. The word ‘Rotary’ came from the fact that the original meetings were conducted in members’ homes on a ‘rotating’ basis. Today there are over 32,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries throughout the world and over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. Rotary has a very strong international service component and is the only service club with a permanent seat at the United Nations.
The Rotary Club of Shelburne had its charter meeting on April 22, 1938. Since 1951, the Club has been the lead organizer of the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddle Championship which raises funds to support the Club’s charitable activities. The Club also sells Christmas wreaths and garlands to raise funds.
Every Thursday, the Club meets to enjoy fellowship, dinner, and to hear an interesting speaker from the community. Examples of recent speakers include Mel Lloyd Family Medicine Centre Diabetes Clinic, Shelburne No Frills, Rotary District 7070’s trips to Tanzania, Dufferin OPP, and a tour of the Headwaters Health Care Centre. Regularly, the speakers are individuals or groups that have benefited from our service activities and programs.