What is Rotary
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women.
The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Rotary membership provides the opportunity to become connected to your community and work with others in addressing community needs. Rotary also provides members the opportunity to interact with other professionals in your community, assist with Rotary International’s humanitarian service efforts, establish contacts with an international network of professionals and develop leadership skills all while encouraging the involvement of our member's family's in promoting service efforts.
Service Above Self
Service is one of the main pillars that holds our group together. When we say “service” we mean time, skill, and monetary donations. Sunrise Rotary has a long standing history of being generous in all aspects of philanthropy. We’re frequently packing bags with household goods, wrapping presents, cooking meals, building fences, painting rooms, and landscaping flower beds.
Along with volunteering our time and talents, we also choose a local (southwest Missouri) non-profit to award an annual grant to every year. This monetary gift allows our club to really dig into that non-profit’s needs and helps us better serve them and their community. Our club is quick to fill up the volunteer list and always showing up with a smile and a paint brush. It’s part of the reason we think Sunrise Rotary is so special.
What Sunrise Rotary is All About
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4-Way Test
At the beginning of our meetings, we recite the Rotary 4-Way Test together as a club.
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build good will and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The test, translated into more than 100 languages, is used by Rotarians worldwide as a moral code for personal and business relationships.
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Service
“Service Above Self”
"Service above self" is a phrase recited many times throughout our club. As a philanthropic club, you can expect to be provided with ample volunteer opportunities. We partner with nonprofits throughout Springfield to provide financial support, free labor, and whatever type of need they may come across.
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Activities
We like to think of Sunrise as one of the more social clubs in town. We have incredibly high involvement for extracurriculars from our members which tells us one thing - we genuinely like each other!
There are many opportunities for socials for our members to attend. From monthly lunches that get you out of your own routine, to monthly wine clubs, to semi-pro football outings on a Saturday evening, we just enjoy being around likeminded individuals.
We encourage all of our new members to get involved in our socials. It’s one of the best ways to truly get to know your club members outside of the large meeting.
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History
On February 23, 1989, the Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast formally voted to sponsor a morning Rotary club. The first meeting of The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise was held over breakfast on April 5, 1989 at the Sheraton Inn. The meeting was attended by 55 sponsors and prospective members who voted to continue the provisional meetings. The next meeting saw 20 members make formal applications and paid their initiation fees making them eligible as charter members. The third meeting saw The Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise nominate officers and directors with those being elected the following meeting.
Having met all the preliminary requirements of Rotary International, a Charter Application was submitted to the District Governor containing the names of 47 charter members. Thanks to the efforts of Jim McLeod and District Governor Gale Bartow, the Rotary Club of Springfield Sunrise was admitted to membership in Rotary International on May 3, 1989. Charter Night, June 14, 1989 was a festive occasion as Sunrise Rotary was honored with the presence of the District leaders and “Mac” McCartney who installed President Bill Cornette and the other officers for the coming Rotary Year.
“It is a privilege to have a relationship with a diverse group of people who meet weekly to pray, pledge, and recite the 4-Way Test together. My association with Sunrise Rotary has made me a better person and allowed me to grow personally, professionally and to create a positive change in others both near and far.”
- GR Stovall, member since 2012