Rotary International is one of the world’s largest service organizations, with some 1.2 million members from 30,150 clubs in more than 163 countries.  On February 23, 2005, Rotary celebrated its 100th birthday.  Annually, Rotary clubs worldwide invite men and women that represent various businesses and professional activities in their communities to become members.  As a progressive-minded business or professional person, you will see that belonging to a Rotary club, where outstanding representatives of the different professions in your community come together, offers many benefits.

What Does Rotary Do in Our Damascus Community?

We conduct the annual Golf Tournament, a fund raising activity.  We give dictionaries to the third graders in the community.  We raise money through a variety of social functions to support our local community volunteers.  A partial list of our beneficiaries include all of the Damascus area schools, Damascus Sports Association, Maryland Sheriff's Youth Ranch, Damascus Senior Center, Hospice Caring, Carol Jean Cancer Foundation, Damascus Theater Company, Damascus Community Fair, and Montgomery County Christmas in April.  We give our time to work with other civic organizations to erect holiday lights throughout town, and sponsor a dental exchange program with the newly independent country of Ukraine.  Damascus Rotary was instrumental in the building of the community welcome signs and formation of the Damascus High School Interact Club.

To be invited, you must be:

• A leading representative of your business or professional group
• Willing to help and participate in projects that enhance your community
• Willing to work on projects that help people in developing countries and promote international understanding and goodwill

Rotary clubs provide:

• Friendships with other managerial and professional leaders in your community
• Prestige of membership in a worldwide organization
• Ongoing practical education
• A networking of people who can help you become more successful
• Promotion of higher ethical standards in your business or profession
• Projects to enhance your community
• Help for communities in countries around the world

How Can You Learn More About Us?

We would like you to know more about us and learn how you might become a member of the world's oldest and most prestigious service club.  Just join us at one of our weekly meetings!  Stop by the First Baptist Church in Damascus any Thursday at 7 PM. Contact Rotarian Bob Bokma on 301-916-1120 or any other member.  As our meeting venues vary a bit over the course of the year, our advice is to check this Web site or call first.