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 and dinner, and 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.

Why Join?

For the opportunity to make a difference in your community. Rotary is recognized locally and internationally for its community service. As a Rotarian, you will be welcomed by fellow Rotarians and the beneficiaries of Rotary projects around the world.
Membership in Rotary exposes you to what is happening in your community and around the world. There are many opportunities to meet fellow members who represent a cross-section of the community.

For fun and friendship. Joining Rotary will enable you to develop life-long friendships while providing service to others. Our weekly meetings provide members with the opportunity to socialize regularly, while at the same time being able to network with other like minded professionals.

Being a member of a Rotary Club can be one of the most rewarding experiences in your life. If you are a business owner, professional, an active community person, working or retired, you know how important community support is to helping those in need.

What Does Rotary Support Locally?

 Meals on Wheels
 Blood Donor Clinics
 Headwaters Health Care Centre
 Re-development of the Shelburne Library
 Renovation and expansion of the Centre Dufferin Recreation Centre (Shelburne Arena)
 Girl Guides and Boy Scouts
 Minor sports, including: hockey, baseball, figure skating, lacrosse, soccer
 Shepherd’s Cupboard food bank
 Community service awards at Centre Dufferin District High School
 Community Living Dufferin
 Museum of Dufferin
 Shelburne Christmas hamper program
 Mountain bike and gear for Shelburne Police
 Vocational programs for youth such as Camp Enterprise
 Centre Dufferin District High School Battlefields Tour
 Big Brothers and Big Sisters
...and many more!