MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.4 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Rotary awarded $333 million to global service initiatives throughout the 2020 pandemic
Join Us
What is Rotary?
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide, approximately 1.22 million Rotarians belong to more than 34,558 Rotary clubs.
Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
The main objective of Rotary is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio. In the 1980s, Rotarians raised US$240 million to immunize the children of the world; 2005, Rotary's centenary year, the PolioPlus program contributed US$500 million to this cause. In addition, Rotary has provided an army of volunteers to promote and assist at national immunization days in polio-endemic countries around the world.
Dan Rizzi
2024-2025 Club President
Club President Letter 2024-25
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary:
I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of your 102nd President for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. As we embark on this new year, I stand humbled by the legacy of our esteemed past presidents who, for over a century, have leveraged their knowledge and dedication to build a remarkable organization committed to service.
Rotary International’s Theme: The Magic of Rotary
This year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary,” compels us to consider the transformative power of our collective efforts. Imagine a world free from polio, with communities empowered to secure clean water, cultivate their own food, and connect via bridges that bring families and education closer. This, my fellow Rotarians, is the magic we create when we unite in service.
The Enduring Impact of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Locally, the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale has consistently embodied this spirit. Our enduring impact is evident in a multitude of initiatives, including:
- Partnering with Challenge Air to provide transformative flight experiences for 84 children facing physical and mental challenges, with the invaluable support of 19 pilots, 160 volunteers, and generous sponsors.
- Annually distributing hundreds of toys and gifts to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and seniors.
- Awarding over $3 million in scholarships to deserving students within the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Supporting the Wheelchair Foundation, fostering mobility for those in need.
Beyond Service, Building Community
We foster strong bonds within our club through:
- Engaging monthly socials and happy hours, fostering connections and camaraderie.
- Annual events like Thanksgiving baskets, Salvation Army bell ringing, and festive holiday and fall picnics that celebrate the joy of giving and shared experiences.
- Disaster relief efforts whenever communities face hardship.
A Look Forward
While we celebrate our past achievements, we also embrace new initiatives designed to elevate our service and engagement. These include:
- Weekly member introductions, fostering deeper connections within the club.
- Inviting inspiring speakers from the business community to share their expertise.
- Reintroducing the “Teacher of the Year” program, recognizing outstanding contributions within the educational sector.
- Establishing a “Rotarians Honoring Rotarians” program, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of dedicated members throughout their years of service.
Invitation to Serve and Connect
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers a unique space for individuals who seek to serve their community while forging meaningful connections. Our weekly meetings, held Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, followed by a social gathering on the last Wednesday of the month at a local venue, provide the perfect opportunity to experience the magic firsthand.
We warmly invite you to join us as a guest. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Together, let’s continue to weave the magic of Rotary, one act of service at a time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Rizzi President 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Kristin LaFleur or St. George Guardabassi.
- School Supplies Drive for Broward Education Foundation – collecting now
- In Jacob’s Shoes – partnering with Pompano Beach RC – collecting now – Chair Evelyn Ciocco
- Hispanic Unity of Florida – Tony Abbate – August 3, 2024
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2025
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February
Rotarians In Action