Rotary International is the largest service organization in the world, with more than one million members. Its main principle is selfless community service. They just do not define the community strictly within city limits, or even international borders.

"Rotary was started on the premise of giving back to the community," Cinco Ranch Rotary President Mary Morris said. "That may be the community we live in, or the world as a whole."

The Katy area is home to two different Rotary Clubs. The Katy Rotary Club meets on Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at Hasta La Pasta, while the Cinco Ranch Rotary Club holds their meetings Tuesdays at 7 a.m. at Cinco Ranch Golf Club. At more than 40 years old, the Katy Rotary Club is the longest-running of the two. The Cinco Ranch Club formed 13 years ago, when the club was becoming larger and some of the members needed an alternate meeting time.

Both clubs are united in their mission to bring local residents together to work on projects that give back to their communities, provide international aid and mentor young leaders.

"We're a service club that consists of volunteers from different walks of life. We come together to place service above self," said Malcolm Junior, Katy Rotary's president. "That's our motto: service above self."

At an international level, Rotary is focusing on eradicating polio. A country is considered free of polio when there are no cases reported for two years. The disease remains a threat in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria, Morris said.

To eliminate the threat of polio in these countries, Rotary International has partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization to fund inoculation clinics.

Locally, Cinco Ranch Rotary has raised funds for the Brookwood Community in Brookshire, an organization that providers a residence, as well as vocational and educational services, to adults with disabilities. The Katy Wine Fest, which Cinco Ranch Rotary hosts, has raised funds for Brookwood for the past two years. This year's Wine Fest, planned for November, will be held at Brookwood.

Katy Rotary's annual triathlon is held in Firethorne each fall. The 16-mile race raises funds for scholarships for Katy ISD students. Katy ISD is a frequent beneficiary of Katy Rotary's efforts.

"We believe in giving back to our kids and helping them along," Junior said.

Most Rotary members are adults with careers that allow them the flexibility to attend club meetings during the day, Butler said. However, Rotary has a high school program, Interact. Students involved in Interact help at Rotary events and attend leadership conferences that prepare them to be strong future leaders in their community.

Between two Rotary Clubs, Katy area residents have many opportunities to participate in events that directly benefit their community, as well as those in need around the world.

"Our focus, our goal is really just to make the world a better place and to give back, and to join others of like-mindedness together to do that," Morris said.

Junior encourages anyone interested in Rotary to attend a meeting.

"Come, be our guest, find out what we're about," Junior said.

Upcoming Rotary events

Both Katy and Cinco Ranch Rotary have major annual events taking place in May. Katy Rotary's third annual Wild West Brew Fest is slated for May 10 from 2–7 p.m. at the Villagio Town Center. Malcolm Junior, Katy Rotary's president, said the event was successful from the beginning, though Katy Rotary was not sure what to expect.

"Every year it's been getting bigger and better. That's what we're anticipating this year also," Junior said.

Funds from Wild West Brew Fest will benefit Katy ISD and Katy Christian Ministries. Katy Rotary's donations to Katy ISD include purchasing instruments for band and orchestra student who cannot afford the instruments on their own.

Every year, the group also purchases animals for FFA students to raise. Katy Rotary then turns around and buys the animals at FFA livestock show and donates the meat to Katy Christian Ministries. This year's meat donation was almost 3,000 pounds. Proceeds from the livestock sale go to student scholarships.

Cinco Ranch's Camo 5K takes place May 24. The event features a timed chip 5k race as well as a one-mile walk. Proceeds will benefit Special Buddies and Team RWB. Special Buddies, which started at Alexander Elementary, pairs children with special needs and children without special needs together to foster friendship and understanding. The program is now in several Katy schools and trying to expand. Team RWB helps returning veterans readjust to life in their community through exercise.

"We brought out the camo theme last year," said Don Butler of Cinco Ranch Rotary. "Because we do have it on Memorial Day weekend, we always pick a beneficiary that has a connection with the armed services."