About Us - Membership
Are YOU interested in serving your community through Rotary, while enjoying the benefits of membership and fellowship? Call 2011-12 President Bev Haluschak at 250-992-6154 or speak with any Rotarian.
WHAT IS ROTARY?
Founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris and 3 associates, Rotary is now a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Quesnel itself has two clubs - the Rotary Club of Quesnel, founded in 1955, which meets at 12:15pm on Thursdays, and Quesnel Sunrise 2000, which meets 7:15am on Tuesdays.
Other than those original four members, membership has been and continues to be by invitation, based initially upon classification (essentially their occupation) to ensure a good cross-section of community involvement from which all viewpoints are represented. Rotary clubs are non-religious and non-political, and draws both male and female members from every race, culture and creed. While indelibly linked with Rotary International, each Club is autonomous and determines their own service projects and fundraising events based on local needs and the interests and abilities of its members.
The focus of Rotary is fellowship and service, practiced in the light of the 4-Way Test that governs one's ethical practices:
Of the things we think, say or do
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
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This 24-word phrase was developed during the worst days of the Great Depression, in 1932, by a man working to save Club Aluminum Products Company. His name was Herbert J Taylor, and his story can be found by clicking here or on his picture.
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The Rotary International emblem, unchanged since 1924, was redesigned many times in the early years of the organization. Read of the emblem’s evolution here or click on the RI emblem.
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Canada Post celebrated Rotary’s centennial in the country with a commemorative stamp, which went on sale 19 June 2010. The stamp was unveiled in Montréal, host of the 2010 RI Convention, held 20-23 June.
“My father was a Rotarian, and I remember how concerned he was with the betterment of others,” said stamp designer Xerxes Irani. “These memories are all tied to the Rotary vest.” He chose an anonymous figure because “it could be anyone.”
Read more about the commemorative stamp here or click on the stamp.
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