Welcome to the Rotary Club of Menlo Park!
I moved to the Bay Area in 2010 and fell in love with the area pretty quickly. As much as I loved the area, something was missing that made me feel incomplete. Shortly after I opened my own business in Menlo Park in 2014, my friend invited me to a Rotary meeting. I knew from day one that I wanted to be a part of this organization. I loved being with people that all lived the Rotary motto “Service Above Self.” 4 years later, I can still say it is one of the best decisions that I have ever made.
Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-sectarian organization open to all people regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, or political preference. There are 34,282 member clubs worldwide, and 1.2 million individuals, known as Rotarians, have joined.
Our club, formed in 1947 and has approximately 65 members. We meet every Wednesday at noon for lunch at the beautiful Allied Arts Guild here in Menlo Park. We are a group of diverse individuals coming together to impact communities, locally and globally, by effecting positive change through service and philanthropy. Rotary Menlo Park also provides a framework for personal and business relationships, networking and fellowship. Each week we take time for fellowship, fun, business and an informative and interesting program.
Service Above Self is the motto of Rotary International and every Rotary Club in the world. Our club offers multiple opportunities to serve the club, community and the world through our various committees. Whether you are interested in the environment, youth services, technology, marketing and public relations, helping the less fortunate, social events or world community service, we have a committee that fits your passion. Our largest event, the Tour de Menlo cycling event, started as an idea formed by two of our members at one of our lunch meetings. Proceeds from last year’s ride enabled us to provide nearly $40,000 for need-based scholarships and support local nonprofits. The idea for our community garden in the Belle Haven neighborhood was suggested at another lunch meeting to promote community pride and it has been hugely successful. Ongoing activities include serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House and sorting cans at Second Harvest Food Bank.
If you want to make a difference in our community and are interested in joining our club, you may submit an application by contacting us at info@menloparkrotary.org or click here.
