Join the Rotary Club of Irvine
What does Rotary membership cost?
Overall Cost Estimate
The annual cost of membership might be in the range of $1,000 – $2,500 depending on your level of participation. Here’s how the commitment breaks down across the various areas of expectation:
Initiation Fee for new Rotarians:
An application/initiation fee of $200 must be paid prior to being inducted in the Rotary Club of Irvine. This is used to cover admin expenses to add the new member to Rotary International and District 5320 rosters, wearable Rotary apparel, member certificate, a Rotary Passport, and a first contribution of $25 to The Rotary Foundation.
Quarterly Dues Invoicing
Your first quarterly invoice will reflect a prorated amount for membership dues. The Club invoices members $240.00 quarterly as follows:
Rotary International dues ($105.30/yr)
District 5320 dues ($78/yr)
Rotary Club of Irvine dues ($776.70/yr)
District and RI Dues include and/or are used to pay for:
- Rotarian Magazine subscription
- Club Insurance/Member
- Council on Legislation Charges
- Current year Rotary theme pins
- District training assembly fees
- Rotary’s Rose Parade Float
Rotary Club of Irvine expenses are estimated annually and divided across the membership to determine the Club dues charge. All members may request a copy of the club budget.
Non-Dues Financial Commitments
Happy Dollar Donations:
We ask that members participate in “Happy Dollar” giving each week. Your total contribution is voluntary, and directly offsets additional club operating expenses. Special occasions, such as anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, new employment, etc. are all good reasons to share your good news. Cash or checks are accepted at meetings. Remote payments can be made via Zelle to [email protected] or via our website at irvinerotary.org/donate.
Example: $20 for your 20th anniversary
Rotary Foundation Giving
Contributing to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is also completely voluntary. However, the Rotary Club of Irvine has always contributed one of the largest per capita amounts of all the Rotary clubs in our District and we strongly encourage our new members to participate in giving regularly to The Rotary Foundation. These funds are invested for 3 years and are then used to match the dollars we allocate from other fundraising efforts toward the Club’s community and international projects.
Rotary’s goal for giving is “Every Rotarian Every Year.” Our club goals reflect 100% sustaining members and 100% achievement of Paul Harris Fellowships ($1,000) within each Rotarians first 2 years of membership.
- Sustaining Member: $100 / year
- Paul Harris Fellow: $1,000 total
- Paul Harris Society: $1,000 / year
- White Hat Society: $5,000 in single year
Participation in Fundraisers
The Club holds various fundraisers for the Irvine Rotary Foundation, our 501(c) 3 non-profit corporation, of which all Irvine Rotarians are also members. This foundation is our local foundation; intended to be a donation mechanism for which our members can solicit external donations and corporate sponsorships for support of our community and international projects. Club members typically purchase tickets/admission to participate in fundraisers, invite their friends and professional network, solicit sponsorships, and some also give directly to the Irvine Rotary Foundation in addition to their support of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
Club & District Events
Irvine Rotary hosts several events through-out the year, including monthly socials, our annual holiday party, and the President’s Changeover Party (Demotion Party). Costs vary by event, but are typically $20-$50. Rotary District 5320 also holds a District Conference, District Foundation Dinner, and other events at which many Irvine Rotarians typically participate.
How will you benefit by joining Rotary?
A few ways Rotary benefits Rotarians:
- You benefit from making many, many lifetime friendships
- Your business will benefit as Rotarians want to do business with people that adhere to Rotary’s “4-Way Test.”
- You will benefit from personal development as you work on committees and take leadership roles
- You will benefit from knowing that you are part of a global community that seeks to solve the most difficult challenges around the world
If Rotary seems like a good fit with you, you will be joining 1.2 million other community leaders and civic minded people around the world who think the same. And if you do join and become an involved Rotarian, you will understand why so many become Rotarians for life.
