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1,200,000
MEMBERS


MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS

With our growing community of 1.2 million members,
located around the world.

47,000,000
VOLUNTEER HOURS


WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES

Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them

$291,000,000
DOLLARS INVESTED


WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS

$291 million awarded for global service initiatives in 2023-24


Join Us


Five Avenues of Service

The Object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.”  Rotary is a service organization.  Since 1910, the Rotary Motto has been “Service Above Self.”

Rotary strives to achieve it’s objective of “Service Above Self” through activities in five primary areas.  These are often referred to as the Five Avenues of Service.

Club Service

This “Avenue” promotes the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.  It involves the activities necessary to make the Club function successfully and achieve its goals. Click here to find out more about Club Service at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale.

Vocational Service

This area represents the opportunity that each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one’s vocation as an opportunity to serve society.  Rotarians promote and foster high ethical standards in business and professions and promote the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations.  Click here to find out more about Vocational Service at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale.

Community Service

This “Avenue” relates to the activities that Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community.  Particular emphasis is given to helping children, needy families, the aged, the handicapped, and those most in need of assistance.  Rotarians strive to promote the ideal of service in their personal, business, and community lives.  Click here to find out more about Community Service at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale.

International Service

In this area, Rotarians strive for the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.  International Service Projects are designed to meet the humanitarian needs of people in many lands, with particular emphasis on the most underprivileged children and families in developing countries. International Service at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale:  We partner with Replenish to provide Lifestraws in South Africa.  We partner with A Spring of Hope to drill wells in South Africa and provide waterless toilets.  We are working on a Rotary International Global Grant to provide education for teachers in Africa.

Youth Service

Youth Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities such as RYLA, Rotaract and Interact club service projects, and creating international understanding with Rotary Youth Exchange.  Youth Service at the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale:  We sponsor an Interact Club at Cardinal Gibbons High School, we sponsor an exchange student each year and serve as host families for visiting students.

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Jeffrey Shaffner

2025-2026 Club President


Club President Letter 2025-26

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

 

It’s a true honor to begin this Rotary year as your President. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me—I’m genuinely excited to serve alongside such a passionate, generous, and thoughtful group. There’s a real sense of momentum building in our club, and I believe this is going to be a standout year.

 

Our Rotary International theme, Unite for Good, is more than a motto—it’s a mindset. In a world that can sometimes feel divided or disconnected, we have a unique opportunity to be the bridge. Through service, fellowship, and shared purpose, we can show what’s possible when people come together with open hearts and a commitment to doing good.

 

This year, we’ll build on the strong foundation already in place by:

 

  •  Deepening our partnerships in the community
  •  Strengthening engagement and belonging within our club
  •  Spreading awareness of the amazing work we do
  •  Empowering our committees with clear goals and purpose
  •  Celebrating the diversity of talents and perspectives among us
  •  Growing our collaboration with the Rotary Community Corps
  •  Getting a great start on our new expansive, all-hands-on-deck social media campaign to let our community know the great work we do.

 

And just look at what we’re already doing:

 

✅ The Rotary Connection, supporting our homeless neighbors
✅ Rotarians Honoring Rotarians, recognizing outstanding contributions
✅ Challenge Air, helping youth realize their potential
✅ Holiday drives, bell ringing, community meals, and more
✅ Honoring veterans, awarding scholarships, and uplifting lives

 

As we look ahead, one thing is clear—our future success depends on growth. That means growing our membership in size, diversity, and engagement.

 

We thrive when new voices, new perspectives, and new energy join our mission. Whether you’re deeply involved, just getting started, or somewhere in between—you matter to this club. Every member has something valuable to offer, and every step toward engagement helps strengthen the whole.

 

This year, I encourage each of us to bring our unique passion to the table—and if you know someone who shares our values, invite them in. Think about the possibilities if each of us brought in just one new member. Let’s grow not just in numbers, but in richness of culture, age, background, and ideas.

 

And while we’re doing this meaningful work, let’s not forget to enjoy ourselves. Rotary is about service, but it’s also about connection and camaraderie. Let’s make time for laughter, creativity, and fun—because people are drawn to the kind of joy and purpose that Rotary brings.

 

We are stewards of a 103-year legacy—and I truly believe our best days are still ahead. Let’s unite, serve, and grow—together.

 

With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Jeffrey Shaffner
President, 2025-2026, Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale

International Projects

Volunteer With Us

As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Jorg Hruschka.

  • Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
  • Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
  • Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
  • Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2026

Rotarians In Action


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