Welcome to the Tappahannock Rotary Club. By joining our club you become a part of Rotary International, a one hundred year old service organization, that has 1.2 million members in over150 countries. Rotary Clubs around the world work to improve their communities and the world. Rotary International's largest project has been to provide over $500 million dollars in the effort to eliminate polio from the world. The goal has not been reached but the effort continues in the several countries which still harbor the polio virus.

You are expected to attend 60% of our weekly, Thursday 6:00 PM, dinner meetings. Wherever you find yourself in the world you are always welcome at the local Rotary Club meeting. Whether it is in Warsaw, Virginia or Warsaw, Poland; Lima, Ohio or Lima, Peru you will enjoy Rotary hospitality and make some wonderful contacts.

The Tappahannock Rotary Club has over 50 members. Causes the club helps fund vary from year to year but often include: Scholarships to deserving Essex High graduates, scholarships to RCC, help to the Haven (a shelter for women), the Little League, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the sponsorship of the Interact (social service ) Club at Essex High School, Essex Sports Backers, Essex Youth Association, Jacob's Ladder, Many Moods of Music (Community Concert at Christmas), and the Essex County Library.

In 2005, after Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, one of our members issued a generous matching challenge to the club and members responded by contributing over $20,000 to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

Here are some of your obligations as a member:

1. Attendance at meetings
   
2. Pay your annual dues (currently $120). Approximately 80% of your dues money goes to support the Rotary District and Rotary International's activities.
   
3. Help with fund raising projects:
   The May Big Croaker Fishing Contest
   The June Rivah Fest Crab Races and Food Booth
   The October Pork Roast (All members are asked to sell tickets and help with the event)
   
4. Approximately once a year you will be asked to provide a short program (15 minutes ) for the regular meeting. You may speak about some topic of interest to you or invite an outside speaker. There will often be questions after the presentation. Please take into account the short attention span of your listeners.
   
5. Approximately once a year you will also be asked to provide the "social" for the regular meeting. "Social" is another word for alcohol .If for any reason it is not appropriate for you to provide the "social" then please speak to the secretary and you will be excused. Romas provides all the soft drinks and set-ups. Members begin to line-up at the bar at 5:45 so the timely arrival ofthe"social" is appreciated. Forgetting your obligation to bring the "social" is about the only indictable offense in the Tappahannock Rotary Club. One further note is that the basket of dollar bills on the back of the bar is not for you. Each participant at the bar chips in $1 which goes to the waitstaff as a tip.
   
6. Twice a year members spend several hours picking-up trash along Hwy 17. More help is always appreciated.
   
7. Be willing to serve in leadership positions in the club.
   
8. Have a good time.