What is Rotary?
Rotary began in Chicago in 1905 when Paul Harris and three friends came together with a simple idea: professionals from different backgrounds could build friendships while working to improve their communities. From these beginnings, Rotary grew into an international movement of more than 1.2 million members across 200 countries, reaching Great Britain and Ireland in 1914 while continuing to be guided by its founding principles of friendship, service and positive community impact.
Today Rotary continues to respond to the needs of an ever-changing world, whilst retaining its strong founding principles. Rotary clubs strengthen communities through fundraising, volunteering and hands-on projects tailored to local needs, from supporting charities and schools to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Across Great Britain, Ireland and internationally, Rotary members also work together on humanitarian initiatives, emergency response and projects addressing poverty, hunger, disease, sanitation and education.
“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.”
Who we are
Rotary Club of Camberley is a local group of people who use their time, experience, ideas and connections to make a positive difference in the community.
We are community champions who stand up for our communities both locally and overseas. We support those who need help, we strive to improve lives and we bring about positive change in our neighborhoods. Every event, initiative or project that we run – whether it is local, national, international or online – is rooted in the notion of community. This is because we believe that society works better when communities work together.
That work takes many forms. In any given year our members might be packing hampers for local families, running a competition in a primary school, standing in the rain with a collection tin, or sitting down with a charity to work out what it actually needs. Some projects are small and quiet. Others take months to organise. All of them start with someone in the Club noticing something that could be better, and the rest of us agreeing to help.
For more than 80 years, Rotary Club of Camberley has supported local people, charities, schools and community initiatives. Our history gives us credibility. Our focus is on what we can do next.
1905 — Rotary founded in Chicago by Paul Harris and three friends.
1914 — Rotary reaches Great Britain and Ireland.
1940s — Rotary Club of Camberley formed, the start of more than 80 years of local service.
Today — Supporting local charities, schools and community initiatives across Camberley.
What makes us different
Local knowledge and long-standing community relationships
Practical volunteering, not just fundraising
Strong links with schools, charities and local organisations
Access to a wider Rotary network
A place where people can contribute skills, ideas and time
Our area
Areas that we cover
Rotary Club of Camberley works across Surrey Heath and the villages around it. Wherever you are in these communities, we are your local club.
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