enoni Biz
ROTARY
Benoni is the home of three Rotary Clubs - Aurora, Benoni and Van Ryn. Their combined membership numbers over 100 enthusiastic people who volunteer their services to the community without remuneration.
Rotary was founded in Chicago, USA, 100 years ago, and originates from humble beginnings, when four business/professional men met to exchange business ideas.
They later became involved in the needs of the community, meeting on a rotating basis at their places of work, hence the name ROTARY.
The club is the cornerstone of Rotary, where the most meaningful work is performed. The district and international structure is designed to support the clubs and help them provide additional service in their communities and abroad.
Rotary clubs are responsible for four key elements: sustaining or increasing their membership base; participating in service projects that benefit their own communities and those in other countries; supporting The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International (RI) financially and through programme participation; and developing leaders capable of serving Rotary beyond club level.
The personal gain for Rotarians is commensurate to what each member puts into the organisation.
One of the main functions of Rotary is fundraising projects. These are directed at the public and the resulting funds are then distributed to needy community and other worthy causes. As part of the 100 year celebrations of the existence of Rotary, the Benoni Aurora Rotary Club decided to undertake a community-based project that would not only highlight Rotary’s 100 years of existence, but would enable the clubs to inform the community of exactly what Rotary is all about.
Thus the idea to identify the Best of Benoni was born, a concept that enables Rotary to give something back to the community of Benoni, which so generously supports their projects.
The project was subsequently presented to the two other Rotary Clubs in Benoni, the Benoni City Times, the Benoni Chamber of Commerce and the Benoni Publicity Association, who have all joined forces.
ROTARY - SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Rotary continues to attract leading business and professional people who want to play a part in helping to improve community life.
There are over 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, spread through 168 countries in 32 202 clubs.
The Benoni Rotary clubs meet on different days at different times each week.
Each club in Benoni currently has a major project in progress:
Benoni Aurora Club focuses on MUTISA - a project run within the Modderbee prison helping inmates to re-integrate into society positively and HOMESTART - a project to assist dysfunctional families with at least one child under the age of six, through a process of counselling.
CHILDREN’S CHARITIES - an annual big walk is facilitated to raise funds specifically for children’s charities.
Benoni Club focuses on NORAH’S DAYCARE CENTRE - a project to build a pre-primary school and day care centre in Etwatwa. The future vision includes an Aids orphanage and a clinic.
Benoni van Ryn Club focuses on THE LODGE - a facility accommodating people who have been through successful drug and substance abuse rehabilitation, helping them reintegrate into society. In addition the club plans to create a FOOTBALL FIELD for the residents in Etwatwa.
In addition the three clubs are either jointly or individually involved in supporting Hospice East Rand, the Salvation Army, the SA Guide Dog Association, Angel Wings Care Centre, Meals on Wheels, Homes for the Aged, Business Against Crime, food for the destitute and Aids orphans.
Since Rotary's earliest days, Rotarians have taken a special interest in developing the potential of young people, acting as tutors and mentors in the Strive programme, sponsoring youth programmes such as Rotabuddies (Primary School), Interact (High School), Rotaract (working individuals between the ages of 18 - 30) and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (development of leadership capabilities).
Rotary is non-racial, non-religious, non-political, non -sexist and is motivated by its motto "Service above Self". If you would like to find out more about joining one of the three Rotary Clubs in Benoni, contact Alan Parkinson on 083 631 9282 and visit www.rotary.org for Rotary International information.
