Bellevue Sunrise Rotary is part of Rotary International, which encompasses more than one million, one hundred thousand members in some 29,968 clubs in 163 countries and geographical regions. That means that you can have lunch with fellow Rotarians and enjoy their hospitality almost everywhere in the world.
The Rotary International organization raised more than US$200 million to eradicate polio and four other children's diseases from the world. This massive project is well on its way to completion. Rotary International also funds international scholarships on a scale greater than the Fulbright and Rhodes scholarships put together. Worldwide grants for Health, Hunger and Humanitarian projects are also made jointly with the individual Rotary Clubs.
Here at home the same sort of care and concern for the infirm, the elderly, youth and needy is exhibited by our club, which has donated to charitable and educational projects in the past and year to come.
Rotary International, founded in 1905 in Chicago by attorney Paul Harris, is the world's oldest and largest service organization.
The Bellevue Sunrise Rotary Club was founded in October 1988 with most charter member still active in the club. Core charter members include Don Eggelston, Lionel Guerra, Steve Schmitz, Tom Fowler and Jeff Leavitt. Our virtues are for promoting business interests, good fellowship and civic pride and loyalty.
Our members are business owners and managers, who are committed to Rotary's Service Above Self principle and making Bellevue and the world a better, safer and healthier place to live.
One of Rotary's mottos is "Service Above Self." There are four avenues through which Rotarians carry out this service:
Rotary's purpose is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise, and in particular, to encourage and foster:
The 4-Way Test is a convenient measuring stick for all human relations and was conceived by Chicago Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932. It asks:
Fellowship is a major part of Rotary, which is evident by the club's social events during the year, e.g. the Garage sale, Croquet Tournament, and Pancake Breakfast in August. Along with these, there are many other diverse events created and carried out by our members like progressive dinner, Christmas gift exchange and get-togethers.
In addition to committee meetings and outings there are many special events such as golf outings, ski trips and picnics.
Our members have the opportunity to participate on committees such as Community Service, Vocational Service, International Service, and Club Service.
Members also can participate in a number of other programs in connection with Eastside Academy or Eastgate Elementary.
In addition to "giving something back into the community" a prime benefit of Rotary membership is the accessibility on a first name basis of a vast number of community leaders. Time and again you will find yourself going through the membership directory when you need help or direction on a business or personal project and subsequently being educated by a helpful Rotarian. Rotary's motto of "Service above Self" is practiced wholeheartedly.