Safety Harbor Rotary Not Just About Networking

When some people hear the phrase "Rotary Club," a picture comes to mind of businessmen meeting in a hotel bar, making connections and talking about everything from work to sports. 

In reality, well, that is a part of being in the Rotary. 

But the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor is so much more than schmoozing and networking; it is playing a big role in assisting with charities, fundraising, and even getting high school kids invested in helping others. 

“Rotary International was founded in 1905, and the Safety Harbor chapter was chartered in 1996,” current chapter president Bob McClure explained. 

“The whole idea behind Rotary was to provide a network of leaders doing good in the world.”

Actually, the slogan of Rotary International is “Service Above Self," and that’s been the focus of the Safety Harbor chapter since its inception. 

The group, comprised of business owners, city officials and community leaders, participates in and organizes a number of fundraisers and service projects per year.

Currently, the Rotary Club of Safety Harbor is involved with a program called PolioPlus, a worldwide partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. The group is also spearheading a bone marrow registry drive that members will be conducting during 3^rd Friday in October. 

“We are working in conjunction with the Florida Blood Services ... and the Interact Club,” former club president Wayne Mineo said of the drive, in which the Countryside High School branch of Rotary will assist with the effort.

“The total time it takes to register is five minutes and forty seconds; five minutes to fill out the paperwork, forty seconds to swab their mouths,” he added. “But it’s like hitting the lottery if you make a match.” 

“That 5:40 can save someone’s life.” 

McClure is quick to point out that Rotary has been involved in life-saving projects like this from the beginning. They just don’t do a lot of self-promotion, and therefore not many people know the extent of their work. 

“Rotary International has been doing things quietly for years,” he said. “We decided we should promote ourselves more and get the information out there about what we’re doing.” 

McClure says the group is currently in the midst of a membership drive to get more business and community leaders involved. Anyone interested should contact Bob at rmcclure@tampabay.rr.com. 

The Rotary Club of Safety Harbor meets at 7:30 a.m. every Friday at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.