What the Heck Is Rotary, Anyway? And Why Should You Care?

Let’s be honest: most of us have seen the Rotary wheel on signs, maybe wondered if it’s a club for retirees with secret handshakes, and kept walking. But here’s the deal—Rotary in 2025 is one of the most energetic do-gooder clubs in the world!

In Vero Beach, it’s all age groups and more engaging and hands-on than ever.

So, What Is Rotary?

Rotary started in1905 with a simple concept: meet, connect, and serve the community. Members rotated meetings among their offices—hence the name. Over a century later, Rotary has grown to 1.4 million members in over 200 countries, all living by the motto: Service Above Self.

A year-to-date (YTD) Snapshot of Sunrise Rotary in Vero Beach:

• Keeps A1A/Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway and Jones Pier clean and welcoming

• Puts books in the hands of every Pre-K student in the county.

• Provided $31,000 in scholarships to local teens with another $6,000 to go

• Provided scholarships and laptops for Gifford Middle School

• Oversees the placement of DrownZero Life Saving Stations in Indian River County for areas where there are no lifeguards

• Sponsors an Interact Club at Charter, a RotaKids club at Imagine, and a new RotaKids at Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy

• And so much more

Why Join:

• Because you know the benefits of getting up earlier, and what better way to start the day?

• You’ll meet great people and stay connected to the best of Vero Beach—all you have to do is show up.

Sunrise Rotary meets Wednesdays at 6:45 a.m. at the Riverhouse (by the dog park). No fuss, no formalities—just a super opportunity to get involved and meet great people!

Tell them Vero Minute sent you.