Our club has been in existence for over 50 years and is still ‘going strong’ with approximately 40 members. Our members come from all walks of life. The one thing that we all have in common is the desire to provide service to the community, both locally and Internationally. Rotary membership is open to everyone. We have two member sections to suit different working, family and leisure situations: a section that meets fortnightly with a dinner at Chislehurst Golf Club and a “SatGroup” whose members meet monthly and use social networking to keep in touch and progress projects.
Rotary International has a worldwide membership of 1.2 million. Among our proudest worldwide achievements has been our contribution to the elimination of polio. This drive was started many years ago by a Rotary club in the Philippines which wanted to eliminate polio from a single island by means of mass child vaccinations. Today we are on the verge of eliminating polio from the world; only 2 countries now have new cases of polio, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Rotary contribution has inspired others, such as the Bill Gates Foundation, to provide massive financial support to finally rid this world of this horrendous disease forever.
Our three main fund-raising events are:
The Chislehurst Summer Fair. This is held on Chislehurst Common on the second Saturday of June. We have a fun fair, all types of stalls, food outlets, a Beer & Pimm’s Tent and organisations from all over Chislehurst. A fun day out for all the community.
Fireworks in November. This is held at the Chislehurst Recreation Grounds on the first weekend in November. There is a fun fair, all types of food stalls, live entertain and of course the fantastic Firework display. This is really a must see for the whole family!
Christmas Collections. Santa and his sleigh tour local streets during the weekday evenings – you will hear us before you see us! Santa also has static collections at Ruxley Manor Garden Centre and Sainsburys during weekends
Christmas Grotto. Santa and his elves open their grotto during the Visit Chislehurst Christmas Market each year, seeing over 400 children and giving away free gifts.
Every penny given to us is donated to a good cause. Below are some of the charity’s/organisations we support:
Local Charities. Bromley Commons, Bromley Women’s’ Aid, Child Aid, Wave Trust, British Heart Foundation, Bromley Mind, Asthma UK, Coopers Technology College (Interact), Marjorie McClure School, Royal British Legion, MS Society, Carers’ Bromley, Bromley Mencap, Young Epilepsy, St Cecilias Cheshire Home, Bowel Cancer, St Edwards Youth Club, Demelza, Chislehurst Rocks, Mottingham Scouts, Bromley Brighter Beginnings and Bromley Portage Service.
International Charities. Improvements to Schools in Boane, Mozambique, Lusaka, Zambia and Hermanus, South Africa; New Roof for the Tea Leave Trust in Sri Lanka; Train the Trainers in Moldova; Literacy Project in Cajamarca, Peru and Shelterboxes for disasters worldwide.;
Rotary is not solely about fund raising. It is also about giving: not just monetary donations but also giving one’s time and giving practical help and advice to others.
Rotarian’s are always welcome to visit any other rotary club worldwide. This fosters friendly links and enables joint service projects. Our Club enjoys particularly strong links with a Rotary Club near Lyon and one in Delft. With these clubs, we have a bi-annual visiting programme.
For our own members, we have an active social calendar throughout the year. We enjoy visits to places of interest, theatres, etc. and dining out, especially at Christmas, Valentine’s Night and Chinese New Year.
If you would like to know more about the work of Rotary or are interested in joining, please let us know. We have a number of membership options to suit everyone. Our membership options, Satgroup or Dining, are there to suit everyone’s needs and working situations.
