Rotary International is a worldwide network of inspired individuals who translate their passions into relevant social causes to change lives in communities.  The Rotary Club of Pemberton (RCOP) is one of 34,000 Rotary clubs worldwide that has dedicated community members to further the values of Rotary;  eradicate polio , provide clean water, promote literacy and support youth and community enhancement.   The RCOP has been in existence since 2005 and has committed energy and resources to a wide range of local and international projects.

We are excited for the opening of the Community Kitchen at the  Cottonwood Community Centre.  The RCOP has been fundraising and providing in-kind labour to build and outfit this important community space for the last three years, along with one of our many community partners, The Friends of the Library. 

Since last year, our club has been raising funds to assist the school build a new playground at Signal Hill Elementary School.  Our contribution will build Phase 1 of the Playground and you will see our club members out during the construction phase assisting where we can.   Funds for this project were raised at our annual Augestfest Event which takes place during SlowFood Cycle Sunday.  Other annual fundraising activities include our spring Flower Basket sale and the Annual Pemberton Rotary and Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, which is being held this year at Big Sky on June 14, 2013.

In partnership with the Village of Pemberton, we will be installing a Fitness Conditioning  Circuit around One Mile Lake this spring, so get ready to get fit as you walk or run around the lake.  This year we delivered a two-part Ethics course to Grade 10 students at Pemberton Secondary School (PSS) and Xit’olacw School . This Rotary-developed program aims to bring awareness to youth about the concepts of values and ethics.

Our club works on international projects as we recognize that we are part of the global community and try to provide assistance to those in need in.  In 2009, our club committed to support projects in Lesotho, South Africa.  This small African country has one of the lowest GDP’s in the world and has the third highest HIV infection rate in the world. In 2010 two club members worked on an African Library Project at the SOS Children’s Village Orphanage and in 2011 our club shipped a container full of used medical equipment, school supplies and books and two of our Rotarians travelled there to help with the distribution in the country.  In March, 2013,  three members of our club will be travelling  back to Lesotho to work with other Rotary clubs to implement a teaching farm in the rural mountain area of Malealea.  This is a long-term project designed to provide food security along with jobs, and life skills for at-risk orphaned youth.  This will be the third year that our club has travelled to Lesotho to work on projects in this small, impoverished country.

We also have a strong Interact Club (youth Rotary club) at PSS. The  young students work passionately on their goals through out the school year. This year they are fundraising to support Shelterbox International , which is a organization that provides shelter and amenities to families in countries where natural disasters have occurred.

If you would like to find out more please join us at our weekly meeting each Wednesday at 7:15am at the Cottonwood Community Centre.