Join Us

Rotary membership is open to adults of any age and background who hold high ethical standards and want to give back to their communities through service and leadership. Clubs accept new members by invitation, and most clubs are happy to have prospective members visit to help get to know them. Clubs in our district include, for instance, people who run non-profits and all sizes and types of business, early-career professionals, retirees, volunteers, public servants, self-employed businesspeople, community leaders, and more. Rotary “celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds” (link to https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) and also encourages vocational diversity, business networking, and vocational service by including members’ professions in their member information or nametag.

Each club has its own process, paperwork and fees, and membership is officially by invitation; that said, most clubs in our district are very open to visitors and prospective members. It’s usually a good first step to visit a club in your area (or more than one, as each will have its own “personality”), and you can also often reach out to contact people or current club leadership through their club’s website. You can also jump-start the process by indicating your interest and preferences on Rotary International’s website at https://my.rotary.org/en/join-rotary/prospective-members and we will have a club leader or Area Governor reach out to you.

No, every Rotarian is part of a Rotary club. The District, Zone, and International levels help support Rotary clubs and Rotary members, but there is not any direct membership at those levels. Once you are part of a Rotary club, there are many leadership, fellowship, and service opportunities open beyond the club level, too!

With over 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, we can be found in most communities! In north Georgia (District 6910), our 70 clubs can be seen on this map [link to district map], and many counties have more than one to choose from. You can also search for clubs by location at https://my.rotary.org/en/club-search and the online listing includes meeting details, a map, and a link to their club website for contacting them. If there is not a club in your immediate geographical area, you could consider an online club, a club in a nearby community, or could even talk with our district leadership about helping to create a new club in your area.

In our district, most clubs meet weekly or every other week, most often during lunch or breakfast. Traditional clubs usually meet for 60 to 90 minutes, and often include guest speakers as well as a meal, club business, and fellowship time. Some clubs meet in the evenings or “after hours”; Rotary International’s Club Search tool (https://my.rotary.org/en/club-search) results also show the location and time of regular meetings for each club. Our district also has a growing number of clubs that have created additional “service,” “companion,” or “satellite” options where members meet at a different time and/or focus on service activities, while still maintaining membership in the primary club, for increased flexibility.

Clubs can vary in size from a dozen or so, up to hundreds of members, and while they are united in the ideal of Service Above Self, our clubs each have their own “personality,” traditions, and service priorities. Most, but not all, Rotary clubs in our district are “traditional clubs,” which usually meet in person, weekly or several times per month, often with a meal included or available for purchase. Many of these clubs have created more flexible options (often called “satellite,” “companion,” “service,” or “impact” clubs) that allow a group of members to meet at a different time and/or location, often less frequently or in conjunction with service projects or social events. District 6910 is also host to one fully-online Rotary club (link to https://carpediemrotary.com/) with a widely-distributed membership. Additionally, university students and young professionals who are 18 or older may be interested in Rotaract Clubs, which are often located on college campuses.

Even within the same Rotary club, there may be different membership options or categories to suit the needs of different people, often with different dues structures. For instance, clubs may choose to offer early-career members a “young leaders” option with lowered cost; a “service” membership with more obligations to help with hands-on projects; a “passport” membership for frequent travelers; “corporate” or “group” categories with discounts for multiple members from a single organization or family; or other options. Rotaractors (college students/young adults) are also now considered full members of Rotary, as well.

That’s OK! Rotary International discontinued its former attendance requirements for membership, though some clubs still have attendance targets (and all clubs will want you to be as active as possible). Rotarians are always encouraged and welcome to visit other clubs when traveling, or to “make up” missed meetings through taking part in a service project, club social, online meeting, or learning event. For frequent travelers, check whether your club offers a “passport membership” type, which encourages visits to clubs around the Rotary world to connect and share fellowship.

It depends! Clubs may have a one-time joining fee (to cover things like nametags and set-up costs), and all clubs charge dues to their members (typically quarterly or monthly) that include club operations as well as pass-through fees that go to the District and Rotary International. Many clubs also include regular contributions to The Rotary Foundation as part of their courtesy billing to members. Traditional clubs that include a weekly meal such as lunch typically have higher dues to cover food, service, and meeting-room fees, while clubs that meet online, less often, or without meals are generally less expensive. Different membership categories in a particular club may also have different dues structures (for instance, some clubs have corporate/group/family memberships, or early-career discounts, or service-type memberships). Some clubs have additional obligations such as member participation in club fundraisers. Most clubs are upfront with prospective members regarding the cost of membership and payment options, so feel free to ask.

We are happy to connect you with a district or club leader who can answer questions. Please reach out to our district membership committee at membership@rotarydistrict6910.org.