Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rotary?

When does the Club meet?

Is there a dress code?

How much does the meal cost?

What is the membership process?

What is Associate Membership?

What is Rotary?

Rotary International is a worldwide service organisation, with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians and Rotary clubs reflect their community, coming together in the belief that ‘They profit most who serve best’.
Rotary is a diverse, non-partisan, non-sectarian and secular organisation. Membership is open to professional men and women over the age of 30, below that age membership of a Rotaract Club is encouraged.
Clubs usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner, while this is organised as a social event, it provides the framework for clubs to organise their service activity and community engagement strategies. Additionally, these meetings are the foundation on which members build lasting friendships and worldwide contacts.
Membership is open to those in their communities who align themselves with Rotary’s core principle ‘Service above self’. Rotary club’s aim for its members to reflect its community with regard to professional and business classifications, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity.

Use the links to learn more about Rotary International and Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland and if you feel Rotary is for you, please use the contact form to arrange a visit to the Rotary Club of Westminster East. Back to top

When does the Club meet?

Our Club meets at the Guoman Charing Cross Hotel on the Strand every Wednesday at 18:30 for a 19:00 start and meetings generally finish around 21.00. Back to top

Is there a dress code?

There is no formal set dress code, but smart casual is preferred. Back to top

How much does the meal cost?

The two-course meal currently costs £19 and includes water (still and sparkling) tea and coffee. Alcoholic drinks are available at the hotel cash bar. We also encourage visitors to buy a raffle ticket for £1.00 usually for the chance to win a bottle of wine, the proceeds going to the clubs service fund. Back to top

What is the membership process?

We recognize that people come to Rotary for many different reasons and that choosing the right club is essential to get the most out of Rotary and it is important for each club to have as wide a cross section of professions as possible in its membership. In consequence membership is by invitation only for women and men of all professions. Each prospective member is asked to attend at least 4 Club meeting as a guest before being invited to join. This gives the prospective member a chance to meet other members, get a feel for the Club and hear about the activities undertaken by the members.
Due to Rotary’s unique combination of friendship amongst the club members and the service activities they undertake it is essential that both the candidate and the existing members are comfortable with each other. Back to top

The Club’s Membership Secretary will support and assist the applicant throughout the process, outlining the responsibilities and privileges that come with being a Rotarian. All applications are reviewed by the Membership Committee, who in turn makes their recommendation to the Club Council, followed by a formal notification (the Seven Day Notice) circulated to all Club members. If no objection is received, the applicant is considered to be elected and is notified by the sponsoring Rotarian. After induction and payment of the fees (currently £ 40 registration fee and an annual subscription of £ 160), the individual becomes a member of the Club and a Rotarian. Back to top

What is Associate Membership?

The Club is a participant in a Rotary Pilot Program that creates a category of membership that allows a prospective Rotarian for a temporary period to become acquainted with the Club, its members, programs and projects. Associate Membership would suit anyone who wishes to become a Rotarian, but for different reasons (work commitments, family or study obligations etc.) cannot commit to attend regular meetings and/or participate in Club activity in the short term but wishes to do so at a later stage.As with full membership it is by invitation only. Back to top