FAQs


Frequently Asked Questions

What Potential Members Need to Know…

New Members

What is Rotary?

The main objective of Rotary is service—in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians provide goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self.”

What exactly does Rotary do?

Rotarians initiate and help raise money for community projects that address many of our society’s most pressing issues, such as violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine service projects based on local needs.

How many members does the Rotary
Club of Santa Rosa have?

Close to 90 leaders and professional men and women from throughout Sonoma County.

Isn’t Rotary just a club for old guys?

Certainly not. This isn’t your Father’s Rotary. The Rotary Club of Santa Rosa has a diverse membership of all ages. First admitted in 1987, women are the fastest-growing segment of Rotary’s membership with 80,000 members. There are nearly 2,000 women club presidents and women are rapidly assuming leadership roles within Rotary. Our 2011-2012 president was Marnie Goldschlag, a Realtor with Prudential California Realty, an our 2012-2013 president was Peggy Soberanis, retired president of our local chapter of Girls Scouts of America. Our 2019-2020 president was Cathy Vicini, President and Proprietor of Trecini Wines.   Rotaract and Interact are Rotary organizations geared for 18 to 30 year-olds and high school students, giving younger people the chance to work on Rotary programs.

How many Rotary Clubs are there in the world?

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries worldwide.

What specifically has your Club done for the community?

Check out the projects page on our site. They are too numerous to mention here.

What is Rotary International?

Rotary International is the umbrella organization for all Rotary Clubs. It has collaborated with many civic and humanitarian organizations as well as the government agencies of various nations in its efforts to improve the human condition. An example of what these partnerships can accomplish can be found in Rotary’s ambitious PolioPlus program. Launched in 1985 with the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control, and UNICEF, the RI program’s goal is to immunize every child in the world against polio and totally eradicate all three forms of polio worldwide and forever! By that time, RI has committed over a half-billion US dollars to the effort.

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What Potential Members Need to Know…

How often and where do you meet

We meet every Wednesday, 12 noon to 1:30 pm at the Flamingo Hotel, 4th St. and Farmers Lane in Santa Rosa.  During the COVID-19 social distancing requirements we continue to meet on line every Wednesday at noon using the Zoom platform.

How much does it cost to be a member?

Approximately $1,200 per year. This includes cost for lunches, dues, support of Rotary projects, and fines.  

If I become a member, what is expected of me?

Weekly attendance at meetings is essential to learning more about and becoming involved in Rotary. If you need to miss a meeting, there are opportunities to make-up at other clubs or at other Rotary functions – even on-line! We require you to join at least two committees in order to participate fully in Rotary.

What isn’t Rotary?

Rotary is not a leads networking club, but our club initiated a networking club for Rotarians: Rotary Means Business. Click here for more information.

What are the meetings like?

The meetings serve as forums where Rotarians can meet with local leaders, share community concerns, and keep informed on events of regional and national significance. Members get to know other Rotarians over lunch and enjoy camaraderie. The meetings are fun, as well as educational.

How can I join?

If you’re interested in becoming a member, please click on Contact Us and fill in your contact information. Our Membership Committee will contact you soon to explain what’s involved and invite you, as our guest, to one of our meetings.

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New Members

What’s the best way for me to get involved?

The best way to get involved is to come to the meetings, attend Rotary functions, and join a committee or two. Check out the list of committees here: Committees. These are good ways to get to know other Rotarians and to learn more about Rotary.

What if I have to miss a meeting?

We encourage you to try to make up at another Club meeting.  For a list of other Clubs and where they meet in the area, go to District 5130 Clubs or to find all Rotary Clubs go to: Find a Rotary Club. You can also make up meetings online at http://eclubone.clubexpress.com/

What’s with the fining?

Built into part of your membership dues are “fines”. Fining is a humorous way for the Club President to ‘recognize’ Rotarians for significant events in their lives, such as trips, marriages of their children, birth of grandchildren, awards, promotions, etc. Members can either pay their entire dues semi-annually, or partake in the humorous exchange to pay a portion of their dues as a “fine.”

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