Rotary Friendship Corner
Isn’t this cooler weather great? This beautiful, crisp, weather can’t help but put a smile on your face! What a great time in which we live! In last month’s Fellowship Corner, you learned what Skiing, Magicians, Mountain Gorilla Tracking, and Wine all have in commonJ (Fellowships). This month, and in the months to come, you’ll learn more about particular fellowships and the benefits they have to offer.
Since there are currently 57 Rotary International Fellowships to tell you about, each month we will give you snippets on a few of them. Let’s start with these:
R.O.A.R. – Rotarians of Amateur Radio
The ROAR fellowship provides a forum for the exchange of views among Rotarians who share an interest in amateur radio, either as licensed radio amateurs or as shortwave listeners. We wish to promote international.
From their newsletter: “ Is ROAR for relaxation or is it meant to achieve something? Is ham radio a counterpoise to the obligations we are facing every day or is it just one more thing we “have” to do? The beauty of this hobby is that it can be either or both of these things.”
Annual Dues: $20
# Texas members – 15
Website: http://www.ifroar.org/index.html
IFBR – International Fellowship of Birdwatching Rotarians
In 1991 the tradition commenced of holding field trips during the convention to seek out local birds. Over the years these trips have taken place the day immediately after the international convention in order not to interfere with any of the scheduled events of the convention. With the aid of local leaders, such trips customarily locate about fifty local species. The first lengthier trip occurred after the Singapore convention in 1999 and travelled through much of central Malaysia, for seven days. In May of 2001, a fifteen-day trip was organised through Southern Africa, including Kruger National Park and much of Swaziland and Botswana. Much of the transportation and accommodation in Africa was through the assistance of local Rotarians. The fellowship has financially assisted environmental projects in Bolivia, India, and South Africa.
Annual Dues: $15.00
# Texas members – 7
Website: http://aces1.customer.netspace.net.au/
ICFR – International Chess Fellowship of Rotarians
The ICFR promotes the game of Chess throughout the world. Members request opponents, play by mail, and play by skill level. As a member, you have the opportunity to play against members from many different countries. The newsletter, “the Chessarian” offers members both a challenge to understand and an analysis of the many chess moves.
Annual Dues: $25.00
#Texas members - 4
Website: http://www3.sympatico.ca/brian.clark/
ICUFR – International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians
The Computer Users Fellowship is just that, a fellowship of computer users. Both their website and the newsletters provide tips on a wide variety computer related topics from Social Networking to “Joomla” for websites.
Annual dues: Free!
#Texas members – 1 (but this is being verified)
Website: http://www.icufr.org/
Remember, Rotary Fellowships are groups of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses and Rotaractors who unite 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 experience in Rotary
And, if you have a personal story you’d like to share regarding your involvement with Fellowships, please contact Irene Hickey (hickey.irene@gmail.com). We will also share ideas on how to incorporate Rotary Fellowships into ways to grow your membership and generate excitement for your club.
These are exciting times! Come, join in the Fellowship.
For more info, contact:
Irene Hickey
District Friendship Chair 2011-12