Champaign Rotary:
A Storied History of Local and Global Impact

​Making a Difference Since 1916

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​Founded in 1916, Champaign Rotary has had a rich and storied history in the Champaign-Urbana community. The club is composed of business, professional, and civic leaders who are dedicated to creating good in the world, both locally and globally. We meet weekly, form friendships and connections, and seek to be people of action, making a positive impact while learning and growing personally as well.​

 

Over the years, our impact in the community has been substantial, supporting and participating in projects both large and small. Recently, on a larger level, we donated a significant grant to the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club at the newly established Martens Center, helping to provide programming for at-risk youth. We also were a major donor in the transformation of Skelton Park and the celebration of the African American Heritage Trail. The park itself was donated by a Champaign Rotarian’s family, and now it is in the process of becoming a destination that will celebrate the contribution of African American musicians to the artistic history of this community.

 

​Internationally, Champaign Rotary has had a significant impact as well. For several years, with the leadership of one of our members, we have done work in Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, helping with survival gardening, providing clean water, and helping to build schools.  Hundreds of people have felt the transformational effect of our efforts. In the last two years, we also have supported similar initiatives in Guadalajara, Mexico, with several of our members traveling there to personally work on projects supported by our club.​

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While we have done many big projects such as these, the number of local community service organizations we have supported are innumerable. This is perhaps where we are at our best. We excel in the long game, with a commitment to understanding deeper systems and underlying causes. We endeavor to work with community partners who are already addressing community needs, empowering them with additional resources which might be financial, leadership skills, and/or boots on the ground. Through our many partnerships and deep relationships, the community is a better place because of the passion and commitment of our membership.​

 

All this is in alignment with the goals of Rotary International. The vision statement for Rotary International is "Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves"​The mission of Rotary is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.​

 

This is our North Star, helping to guide Champaign Rotary for more than 100 years. For those of us in the club, it is our privilege to do so.