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 honored that you have entrusted me to be your 102nd President of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. Over the 102 years, we have tried to carry on what our past Rotarians have accomplished using their knowledge to move on to greater things. Rotary International’s motto for this year is “The Magic of Rotary.”
“The Magic of Rotary.” Imagine what that means. Imagine eradicating Polio, providing water wells in countries with no fresh water, teaching areas of the world how to grow their own food, and building bridges so families can cross rivers to get to towns to get supplies or have their children get to school. This is what Rotary is all about – helping others.
As for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale, some of our local projects are the following:
- Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale partnering with Challenge Air provides plane rides to children with physical and mental challenges. This year we provided flights to 84 families, with 19 pilots providing their time and planes and over 160 volunteers and sponsors.
- The annual toy drive provides hundreds of toys and gifts to needy children and the elderly.
- Awarding over $3,000,000.00 in scholarships to deserving students in the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Support of the Wheelchair Foundation which provides mobility to those in need.
- Having monthly socials/happy hours getting our members and guests together to get to know each other and to have fun.
- Annual Turkey Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
- Having a Holiday Party to enjoy each other and to have fun.
- Having a fall picnic for members, families, and guests.
- When needed we help in hurricane and disaster relief.
- Working with the homeless.
- “Rotary Cares” provides clothes, food, toiletry accessories, and school supplies to underprivileged children as well as many other projects.
- And much more.
Some of the new:
- Members weekly introduction.
- Speakers from the business community.
- Bringing back Teacher of the Year.
- Rotarians Honoring Rotations. Rotarians recognizing their peers who have made a significant impact in the community during their years of service.
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers individuals many opportunities to serve others while enjoying fellowship and having fun with others.
We have a weekly meeting the first three Wednesdays of the month at 12:15 at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, and a social the last Wednesday at a local business.
Please feel free to join us. We invite you to come to our meetings as a guest and see our amazing club. Please feel free to reach out to us via email at rotaryftlaud@gmail.com.
Daniel Rizzi, Club 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.
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – Saturday, November 18
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 26 & 27
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February 9 & 10
Rotarians In Action