STARTING NEW CLUBS
Building the Future of Rotary: New Clubs, New Possibilities
Rotary has never been a one-size-fits-all organization and today, that’s truer than ever. As communities change, so does the way we come together to serve them. A new generation of club models is opening the door to more people, more ideas, and more impact than ever before.
Prospective members can now find a home in formats built around real life: satellite clubs for those wanting a lighter commitment, e-clubs that transcend geography, passport clubs that offer freedom to engage across multiple chapters, corporate clubs rooted in the workplace, and cause-based clubs that rally members around a single shared mission. Around the world, theme or cause-based clubs are being formed, united by passions like mental health advocacy and education.
Flexibility + Meaningful Club Experience + Shared Mission = Greater Impact
These aren’t just structural changes – they’re an invitation. An invitation to serve on your terms, connect with people who share your values, and make a difference in the way that fits your life. Whether you have one evening a week or one weekend a month, whether you work best in person or online, there is a Rotary club being built with you in mind.
The future of Rotary isn’t a single model. It’s many – and you are in the driver’s seat.
Flexible Club Models
Rotary Clubs
Professionals and other leaders who meet regularly for service connection and personal growth. This model appeals to people who are looking for friendship, service and networking opportunities.
Rotaract Clubs
Younger professionals and university students who want to become more effective leaders, find innovative solutions to community issues, and have fun through service.
Satellite Clubs
Smaller groups sponsored by a traditional club, offering flexibility in meeting times and formats while still being connected to a larger Rotary club with the desire to expand and spin off into their own club.
Companion Clubs
A Companion Club is simply an extension or satellite club of an existing Rotary Club. This club has no plans to separate from its host club and is organized around community service, without the parameters of a traditional Rotary setting.
IMPACT Clubs
IMPACT Clubs are Companion Clubs whose primary purpose and focus is service. They do not hold traditional meetings. Instead, they plan and perform service projects. They do not have a regular meeting location and they do not have speakers. IMPACT Clubs meet all qualifications of the Rotary Club Constitution.
E-Clubs (Online Clubs)
Fully digital clubs that meet virtually, allowing members to participate regardless of location.
Corporate Clubs
Businesses or organizations join Rotary as a group, encouraging employees to participate in service and leadership.
Cause-Based Clubs
Clubs organized around a shared mission or area of service—such as veterans, environmental sustainability, or health initiatives.
Building New Clubs
Starting a New Rotary Club 101
Rotary Membership Anytown
In 2000 Catherine Gibson joined the Rotary Club of Seattle. Over the years, she served in multiple roles including President of the club’s foundation, Board Chair, and as the club’s 107th President in 2016-2017. As District 5030’s Governor during COVID (2020-2021) she championed new clubs and enhancing Rotary’s public image around the greater Seattle metro area. Gibson’s varied career spans 45 years and includes decades in corporate finance, international
development, management consulting and since 2010 business mediation. She serves on multiple boards and is an active community volunteer. In tandem with her professional and community pursuits, she is an avid mountaineer, bridge player and knitter. She and her husband of 35 years live in West Seattle.
Ramesh Hariharan, an entrepreneur, is the CEO of CompuSharp, a Silicon Valley tech company. He started as a Rotarian in year 2000 in the prestigious 400+ member Rotary Club of San Jose. In 2013 he moved to the Rotary Club of East Palo Alto Bayshore and grew it from 14 members to 51 members. Then in 2016, Ramesh chartered a Passport Club, ushering in an innovative concept to District 5170 using the new flexibility rules. To date, Ramesh has brought in over 350
members to Rotary. Ramesh and his wife Sobha are members of the Arch Klumph Society. Incremental growth in Rotary has barely kept pace with natural attrition. He believes that we can grow Rotary by introducing new paths or New Channels into Rotary. Rather than bringing people to clubs, he took clubs out to the people, to their organizations and to their workplaces. District Governor Ramesh has been instrumental in chartering five new clubs, each with a unique value proposition. Rotary @ Silicon Andhra was created with a record 203 members, who are predominantly culture oriented. Rotary @ Rainbow was created to give a special place to the LGBTQ community. Rotary @ Art-of-Living has been formed to foster universal peace and joy via service. Rotary @ IEEE (Electrical and Electronics engineers) has been created paving the way for Smart Villages across the world. The Rotary Club of Silicon Valley was formed with JKYog, a global spiritual organization promoting physical and mental heal and wellness. All of them finding a bond in the core values of Rotary and in the motto of Rotary Service Above Self. These types of new channels have the potential to grow Rotary by thousands of new members. We increase the odds of witnessing breakthroughs when we consciously choose to break free from old patterns of thinking. DG Ramesh has demonstrated just that!