Rotary Club of Georgetown

"Today, there are about 200 Rotarians in Georgetown [Rotary clubs]," Davenport said. "Georgetown's growth has been good for Rotary, and Rotary has been good for Georgetown."

Rotary International was founded in 1905 by a Chicago attorney. The international club now has more than 1 million members participating in more than 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries.

Club members volunteer and raise money locally and abroad in support of education and job training, providing clean water, combating hunger, and improving health and sanitation. Another mission the international group has taken on is eradicating polio worldwide through the Polio Plus Campaign. The program started in 1982 in the Phillipines and was so successful, a worldwide mission began, said Bill Conner, past president and Georgetown Rotarian for 40 years.

"If we can eliminate that from the world, well, that's a project that I'm particularly interested in and proud of," Conner said.

In Georgetown, Rotarians participate in a variety of community efforts and have supported area nonprofits, including The Caring Place, The Georgetown Project and Georgetown ISD Partners in Education.

"Rotary Club is not a social club. Yes, we meet weekly and have fellowship and a program, but if that's all it was, it would be shallow," Davenport said. "Our real reason is to serve others."

Each club member is encouraged to donate at least $100 a year to The Rotary Foundation, which grants money to clubs to participate in humanitarian efforts. Although not every member has to donate money, Davenport said the Georgetown club is continually recognized as an "Every Rotarian Every Year" club for its high participation rate.

Other locally generated funds are given as scholarships to students and teachers in Georgetown ISD.

"With the results that they've accomplished, I'm certainly proud to be a Rotarian," Conner said.

In April, Georgetown Rotarians will celebrate the club's 50th anniversary with a special luncheon for club members and other Rotary dignitaries.

Annual auction and barbecue

The Rotary Club of Georgetown will host its annual auction and barbecue fundraiser April 13. Money raised during the live and silent auctions will be used to fund local and international projects, including 20 $500 scholarships to Georgetown seniors and the Polio Plus Campaign.

• 6 p.m.
• $15 (includes barbecue dinner)
• San Gabriel Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St.
• www.georgetownrotary.org

Rotary Club of Georgetown, Meets every Friday at noon, First United Methodist Church, 410 E. University Ave., www.georgetownrotary.org