What is Rotary?  Rotary is the world’s first service club, founded February 1905.  Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  There are more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs in 166 countries in the world.   The Motto of Rotary is “Service above Self”. 

Purpose of this Club – This club was chartered in June 2005 with the specific purpose of identifying legitimate needs in the regional community and publicizing these needs to Rotary Clubs in English-speaking countries for consideration as their International Service Project.  Once an internationally located club adopts a project, we work with that club in the local administration of the gift or grant. 

Requirements of Membership

• Qualifications – Rotary is a service organization whose members are adult men and women of good character and with good business and professional reputation.  Membership is limited and is by application.
   
• Attendance – Every member of a Rotary Club is expected to attend a minimum of 50% of the meetings of either their club, other Rotary Clubs worldwide, and/or “attend” abbreviated meetings online.  Many Rotarians have 100% lifetime attendance.  We realize that our club has a large number of members who split their time between Mexico, the US, and elsewhere, and regular club attendance while traveling may be difficult.  In such cases, the short and simple on-line meetings allow easy compliance with the attendance requirements.
   
• Promptness – Meetings start promptly at 12:30 PM and members are expected to be present and remain for the entire meeting.
   
• Participation – All members are expected to participate on at least one committee, in club projects, at club socials, help in obtaining speakers, and to work on the reception desk on a set schedule. New members are required to learn basic information about Rotary, and the responsibilities of membership.
   
• Dues – There is a one-time induction fee of $50 USD, and annual dues of 2000 pesos per year, payable ½ in June and ½ in December of each year.
   
• Lunch – All members are strongly encouraged to participate in the fellowship of sharing the  luncheon meal at the Hotel Real de Minas immediately following the meeting.  Cost is 100 pesos.  

 

Our Current Projects - In the brief two years of its existence, this Club has become a valuable and reliable conduit of funding from other Rotary clubs to the north for their international project needs.   Go to the Club website for more details on these projects. 

• Stirling Dickinson Rural Library Project – A pilot program requiring $15,000 USD to furnish a library building in Col. Cruz de Palmar; including books, magazines, tables, chairs, racks, computers.  Other non-profit organizations will provide other needed services to that community. 
   
• Casa de los Angeles - Providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children of single working mothers who come from the outskirts of town to sell their wares in the mercado or to work in homes/restaurants in town.  $40,000 USD to furnish a new day care center and equipment for a dental clinic.  We have a commitment from the Peachtree Rotary Club of Atlanta, Georgia.
   
•   Computadores Pro Jovenes – Project to purchase 75 computers, add Spanish software and keyboards at cost of $20,625 USD.  Computers to be donated to local schools and students with special disabilities.  Full funding is needed.
   
• Diabetic Retinopathy Camera & Diabetic Laser Machine -There is a severe diabetes problem in Mexico and especially in this area where 13% suffer from diabetes and 10% of those are in danger of losing their eyesight.  Two machines are used for treatment: one a detection machine which costs approximately $20,000 USD and the other a laser machine, used for destroying parts of the retina and saving eyesight, which can be purchased for the wholesale price of $28,000 USD.  Full funding is needed. 
   
• Water Harvesting Project - San Miguel Viejo - A pilot program at the village of San Miguel Viejo whose water is contaminated with excess levels of fluoride. This program engages the residents in a ground-up operation where sweat equity and active community participation will identify other community priorities.  Includes a water-harvesting program to substitute rain water for contaminated ground water for drinking/cooking needs.  The West Houston (Texas) Rotary Club will participate in this initial pilot program, but more funding may be needed. 
   
• Casa Hogar Santa Julia Don Bosco - $11,800 USD to improve the living conditions in this young girls’ refuge; some orphaned, some sexually abused and others abandoned.   This project has been funded by the Rotary Club of Tryon, N.C.

• Casita Linda - Builds safe, sanitary & inexpensive housing for home ownership utilizing an innovative construction system and volunteer labor for socio-economically disadvantaged families living in rural Mexico.  Approximately $1500 USD per house.  Meaningful hands-on volunteer experiences are also available.
   
• Other projects are currently being evaluated for inclusion. 

How to Join – Visitors who desire to become Rotarians should first attend at least three meetings.  During your visits, select a member who will act as your sponsor.  After the 3^rd meeting, you and your sponsor will meet with the Membership Chair and complete an application form to be given to the Board of Directors at their next meeting.  That meeting is usually held on the last Thursday of the month.  If approved, the prospective member will be asked to give permission to publish his or her name to the membership.  If no objections are received within seven days following publication, that person, upon payment of dues and the induction fee, will be inducted at the next induction ceremony (generally held the last meeting of each month).

 

 

 

The Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende – Midday

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

 

VISITING ROTARIAN MAKE-UP  -  PLEASE GIVE

TO YOUR CLUB SECRETARY

 

 

Member’s Name _________________________________

 

Date of Visit:    ___________________________________

 

Club Secretary ____________________________________
Lanny Hamby

 

 

Thank you for visiting the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende – Midday.  Our club was chartered on June 30, 2005.  We hope you enjoyed your visit with us and your stay in beautiful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

 

Please visit our website www.rotarysma.org and click on “Club Projects” if you are looking for a well-researched project for your Club’s International Service needs.

 

Our US Mailing Address is PMB 157A, 220 N Zapata Hwy, Laredo, TX 78043