What is Rotary?

Paul Harris, a young lawyer, organized the first Rotary Club in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1905. He gathered together a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. That basis of membership – one man from each business and profession in the community – still exists in Rotary. At first, the members of the new club did not meet in one location, but met in rotation at the various places of business of the members; this suggested the name, “Rotary”.

The general objectives of Rotary clubs worldwide are the same: the development of fellowship and understanding among the business and professional men and women in the community, the promotion of community betterment and of high standards in business and professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding, good will, and peace. Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal: service above self. Rotarians follow what is called the “4 way test” of the things we think, say, and do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Since 1905, people of nearly all nationalities and of many political and religious backgrounds have accepted the ideals of Paul Harris and his friends. Today, there are Rotary Clubs in 172 countries. There are more than 25,000 Rotary Clubs with a total membership of over one million.

What does Bremerton Rotary?

Practically every community in the United States has its own Rotary Club. In Kitsap County, there are several Rotary Clubs: Bremerton, East Bremerton, Port Orchard, South Kitsap, Silverdale, Silverdale Sunrise, Poulsbo, and Bainbridge Island. The Bremerton Rotary Club,the flagship of Rotary in Kitsap county, is made up of approximately 110 men and women from the Bremerton business and professional community. Bremerton Rotary meetings are held once a week on Mondays at 12:00 for lunch at the Kitsap Convention Center, Harborside, 100 Washington Avenue.

Every Kitsap Rotary Club supports their local high school(s). Bremerton Rotary is proud to support Bremerton High School and Bremerton School District. We provide these opportunities for our students annually:

* Four scholarships to the Rotary Youth Leadership Award seminar at Pacific Lutheran University(RYLANW)
* Several scholarships to both Olympic College or the College of the recipient’s choice; amount awarded varies with fundraising efforts, but often is between $15,000 and $20,000 annually
* Three scholarships to Washington Business Week($350 each)
* Mayor of Bremerton Community Service Award (plaque and possible $1000 scholarship, depending on federal funding; open to seniors only)
* Summer international exchange student opportunities
* One outgoing and one incoming international student exchange opportunity
* Bremerton High School Interact Club

In addition to our service to youth, the Bremerton Rotary has made substantial contributions to various projects that serve to better our community. Recent donations include $100,000 to the expansion of Rotary Evergreen Park and $25,000 to the Bremerton Harborside development. We have also made substantial contributions to the rebuilding of the Olympic College Library, the YMCA, the Admiral Theater, the Bremerton Senior Citizens’ Recreation Center, the USS Turner Joy, and the Pendergast Regional Park.

What activities does Bremerton Rotary sponsor?

Bremerton Rotary currently sponsors three major fundraiser's:
* RAGS
* Wild Game dinner
* Taste of Elegance

RAGS is the Rotary Annual Garage Sale, a joint project with other local clubs to gather together good used items for sale to the community.

Taste of Elegance is held every other year. It's a time to dress up and shine. The Taste of Elegance is a gourmet dinner and auction featuring fine wine and great entertainment. It's so fancy, we can only do it every other year.

The Wild Game dinner is both an auction and a buffet dinner with a menu that consists of items such as elk, moose, deer, buffalo, oysters, halibut, clams, and the like. We do this every year just to "cut loose." Typically done in February.

More subtle fundraiser's include: *Members manning the Kettles for the Salvation Army. Tongue in cheek "Fines" and Happy Bucks at our weekly meetings. Antonymous donations from club members.

Our "Santa and his Elves" is a favorite club meeting and members only fund raiser. Usually held the meeting before christmas. The elves plan all year, collecting "special gifts". Members, individually receive these fun gifts from the "elves" and give a gift to Santa. Santa in tern, see's to it that the Salvation Army receives that donation. 2005 was a especially nice year, with over $8000 donated to the Salvation Army's annual Christmas fund directly from Bremerton rotary members.

Bremerton Rotary also sponsors service events and fun occasions for its members including a Christmas Party, a kick out dinner to mark the annual change of our Presidential leadership, Salvation Army bell ringing, the sprucing up of a local home via Christmas in April, softball games, group attendance at theater performances and concerts, and the like.

What does it cost to Join Bremerton Rotary?

Your first year there will be a $100 initiation fee. There are annual dues of $200 and Foundation dues of $200 annually. Lunch costs $15 a week, billed quarterly for a total of $150 to $170 for lunches, depending on the number of meetings each quarter. You may also be fined at meetings (all in jest of course); (no more than $5 a meeting). Don't forget the happy bucks and "brag bucks", that can be what ever you value getting up and bragging about or sharing with the club members. The basic annual cost is approximately $1,200 a year, not counting the one-time initiation fee. Other costs are for events that you may elect to attend. For example, the Wild Game dinner is $40 a person, with raffle and auction items as extras . .