What Are Rotary Fellowships??
Sure, we all know what fellowship (singular) means, but Rotary International means something quite special when adding an "s" to that word. In short, Rotary.org offers the following definition.
Rotary Fellowships are autonomous, international groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, and Rotaractors who join together to:
•Share a common interest in worthwhile recreational activities (sports, hobbies, etc.)
•Further their vocational development through acquaintance with others of the same profession
•Make new friends around the world
•Explore new opportunities for service
•Have fun and enhance their Rotary experience
The 2011-2012 list of official Rotary Fellowships is extensive, encompassing interests ranging from Amateur Radio to Yachting. (What? No Zoologists???)
Other Rotary Fellowships include Antique Cars, Authors & Writers, Bird Watching, Bridge, Canoeing, Caravanning, Carnivals, Chess, Computer Users, Convention Goers, Cricket, Curling, Cycling, Doctors, Doll Lovers, Editors & Publishers, Environment, Esperanto, Fine Arts & Antiques, Fishing, Flying, Golf, Gourmets, Home Exchange, Internet, Italian Culture, Jazz, Latin Culture, Lawyers, License Plate Collecting, Literacy Providers, Magicians, Magna Graecia, Marathon Running, Motorcycling, Music, Old & Rare Books, Photography, Police & Law Enforcement Professionals, Pre-Columbian Civilizations, Quilters, Railroads, Recreational Vehicles, Rotary Global History, Rotary Heritage & History, Rotary on Stamps, Scouting, Scuba Diving, Shooting Sports, Singles, Skiing, Social Networks, Tennis, Total Quality Management, Travel Agents, Travel & Hosting, Wellness & Fitness, and Wine.
(Not surprisingly, our club has Sunrisers who are proud members of the Rotary Wine Felloship. Sounds like a fun group, doesn't it?)
There's also a list of proposed Fellowships that Rotarians are trying to launch: Puzzles, Dancing, Film Producers, Mapping & GIS, Intellectual Property, Safari, Mountain Gorilla Tracking, CPAs, Ice Hocky, and Holiday Properties...just to name a few.
If any of those Rotary Fellowships strike a resonant chord for you, just go online to www.RotaryFellowships.org and you'll find contact information that will allow you to come together with other Rotarians around the world who share your interests.