Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in communities, and in themselves. Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, Rotarians always working to better the world, and they stay committed to the end.

 

Rotary members believe that people have a shared responsibility to take action on the world’s most persistent issues. The 46,000+ Rotary Clubs in the world work together to:  promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; grow local economies; and protect the environment. (above is adapted from www.rotary.org).

 

Rotary’s motto of ‘Service Above Self’ was enacted by fundraising and supporting worthy projects both locally and internationally.  The labour of Rotarians – called “sweat equity” – also contributed to successfully supporting the work of the Club.  Examples include the delivery of Meals on Wheels for The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association which started in 1980 and continues to this day; providing the BBQ at the Hike for Hospice event; working with the Salvation Army to prepare food hampers for local families; providing volunteer assistance to other local clubs during their events; cutting grass, cleaning brush and installing benches at the Rotary Woods Walkway at the Macaulay Conservation Authority. During the pandemic, members of the Rotary Club of Picton could be seen day in and day out at the Vaccination Clinic in Picton, making sure that all were greeted warmly and had a good experience. The list goes on. 

 

Over the years various fundraising projects have been established, stopped and changed. The Rotary Golf Classic has continued and has been sold out many years running.  The Cash Calendar initiative has become a main fundraiser as has the Waterfall Tour and Lilac Ride. In the summer of 2025, we held a ‘Pick-your-own-berries’ fundraiser that did extremely well. Funds from these events are used to provide financial support to several local and youth projects as well as international initiatives that provide education, clean water, medical aid, and emergency shelter to those in need.

 

For the Rotary Club of Picton, established in June 1943, it has been over eighty years of Service Above Self.  Looking forward into the future, we can see that there is much more work to be done and we will continue as long as humanly possible because “they profit most who serve the best.”