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Building Goodwill and Better Friendships through Rotary Fellowships

Rotary Fellowships consist of members who share a common interest in recreational activities, sports, hobbies, or professions. These groups help expand skills, foster vocational development and enhance the Rotary experience by exploring interests while developing connections around the world.

If you have a hobby or special interest, there's a good chance there are other Rotarians that do too. Rotary was founded on fellowship, a concept that has been expanded internationally through the Rotary Fellowships. These groups consist of members who share a common interest in recreational activities, sports, hobbies, or professions. These groups help expand skills, foster vocational development and enhance the Rotary experience by exploring interests while developing connections around the world.

The nearly one hundred Rotary Fellowships encompass a variety of vocations and avocations, ranging from sports and hobbies to professional interests — all of which serve as a way to extend international fellowship, friendship, and service. In addition to offering members an opportunity to share their passion for a particular interest with like-minded Rotarians, many individual fellowship groups enable members to use their hobbies or skills to serve others.

For example, the Fellowship of Canoeing Rotarians has organized cleanups of polluted rivers, and members of the International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians conduct training sessions for Rotarians and other people in their community on how to use electronic media.

Rotary Fellowships began informally in 1928 when Rotarians with a shared interest in Esperanto joined together. In 1947, a group of Rotarian boating enthusiasts began flying the Rotary flag from their crafts, calling themselves the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians; this fellowship now boasts the longest continuous existence.

The scope of Rotary Fellowships has changed much over the years, but today their common purpose is still to unite Rotarians in friendship and provide venues for enjoying their favorite recreational or professional activities. Membership is open to Rotarians and, in some fellowships, to spouses and Rotaractors as well.

To join a Rotary Fellowship contact the fellowship directly. Check the RI website, the official directory, or the annually revised group directory for contact information for the chair or membership officer.

If your recreational or vocational interest isn’t represented by Rotary’s current Fellowships:

Join a discussion group or start a new one on My Rotary. It’s a great way to share your interest with other members.
Use Rotary’s presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to promote your idea.
Attend the Rotary International Convention or other Rotary events to network and find others that share your interest.