Activities

One of the major benefits of membership in the Rotary Club of Cincinnati is the fellowship we gain. Whether it’s working side by side in hands on service projects or attending the fun-filled social events such as Bowling, Rotary After Hours, Reds Game, Churchill Downs, etc., fellowship is a primary reason Rotarians stay involved and create lifelong friendships through Rotary membership.

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A = Abrahamson Eye Institute at Children’s Hospital

We partner with the Ira Abrahamson Eye Institute by providing funding and participating in health fairs to do eye screenings for disadvantaged youth. These exams screen children for eye issues which can lead to blindness if not caught in early childhood.

B = Believe 2 Achieve

Believe 2 Achieve is our signature fundraiser held each year to benefit organizations that serve children and adults with disabilities. The fundraiser is organized as a joint effort between our Club and Foundation.

C = Camp Allyn

Camp Allyn is a 100+ acre site located in Clermont County that is owned by our Club. More than 400 disabled children and adults are served at the camp during the year and we organize service projects on the the grounds throughout the year.

D = Day at the Races

Each year our club members head south for a day of fun and fellowship at either Keeneland or Churchill Downs. Bring your spouse and/or friends for an exciting day of racing in the Bluegrass State.

E = Euchre

The Euchre Group meets monthly to play cards. Members take turns hosting the monthly gatherings. All levels of skill are invited to play from novice to card shark. Bring an appetizer/dessert to share and your own beverages.

F = Four Way Test Speech Contest

In February the club hosts local high school students to take part in a speech contest centered around Rotary’s 4-Way Test. Finalists deliver their speech at a Rotary luncheon with the winner going on to compete at the District contest.

G = Grants from Rotary Foundation of Cincinnati

Our Foundation provides small grants to non-profit organizations that provide services to disabled or disadvantaged children. Members can suggest a non-profit they feel passionate about apply for these grants.

H = Hands on Service

Our club members participate in monthly service projects at area schools, Ronald McDonald House, and other non-profits. This is our way to give back and lend a hand to our community.

I = Interact/UC Rotaract/Community Rotaract

Our club has very active youth and young professional organizations. Our Interact Club at Walnut Hills High School, our Rotaract Club at the University of Cincinnati, and our Community Based Rotaract Club for Young Professionals are our “farm teams”. Volunteering to assist these groups is a great way to engage with the future leaders of Club 17.

J = Jefferson Award

In March of each year our club selects and honors a Jefferson Award Winner. The Jefferson Award was founded in 1972 with the help of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Sam Beard as “the most prestigious prize for public service in America.” Members can become involved by nominating someone for the award or volunteering for the committee.

K = Kris Kringle at Roselawn Condon School Holiday Party

Each year our club partners with the Roselawn Condon School to provide holiday gifts for the disabled/disadvantaged children of this school we help found in 1927.  The children write their gift requests and our members shop for and wrap the gifts.  We deliver the gifts and throw a party for the children including crafts, carols, visits from Cincinnati Reds and Bengals mascots, and of course, Kris Kringle.

L = Leadership Opportunities

Our club can help you to increase your leadership skills, gain world understanding, and make lifelong friendships—all while making a real difference in our community.

M = March Madness Raffle

Each March the club holds a raffle to pick the winner of the March Madness NCAA Tournament. Get your ticket early as the competition for squares can be fierce!

N = New Member Reception/New Member Project

The New Member Reception is a cocktail party held for new members and their spouses to introduce them to members of the Club Board of Directors and provide some background on Rotary International and Club 17. The New Member Project is conceived and implemented by the New Member Class to help form a bond with those newest to Club 17.

O = Opportunities to Connect

Club 17 offers many opportunities to connect with other members including our Rotary After Hour events hosted on Fridays by members in their homes, Women 2 Women events for women members only at area restaurants/businesses, and Young Professional activities throughout the year.

P = Picnic at Camp Allyn

Each year our members head out to Clermont County to our Camp Allyn to enjoy a day of fun and fellowship. Putting on the picnic requires a group effort so volunteers are always needed for this committee.

Q = Quench Your Thirst at Rotary After Hours

Rotary After Hours are held at member homes and other venues throughout the city on Friday evenings during the year. These events are a great opportunity for fun and fellowship.

R = Rotary Roadshows

Several times a year we take our Thursday lunch program on the road for Rotary Roadshows. We have visited Playhouse in the Park, the American Sign Museum, Horseshoe Casino, Memorial Hall, Moerlein Lager House, and many more. We’re always looking for new venues so call the Rotary office with your suggestions.

S = Strikes and Spares – Bowling League

Our bowling league meets on Wednesdays from September to March. All skill levels are welcome as this league is definitely more about fellowship than strikes and spares.

T = Thursday Lunches

Most Thursdays our club meets at noon in the historic Hall of Mirrors at the Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel. Our speakers have ranged from company CEOs, Ohio Supreme Court Justices, to a former Miss America. Members are encouraged to suggest speakers for the lunches.

U = Up, Up, and Away for Balloon Rides at Camp Allyn

In the summer months, we partner with Balloon Adventures to take the disabled children and adult campers at Camp Allyn on tethered Balloon Rides. Members are needed to assist with helping the riders have an uplifting experience since most are in wheelchairs.

V = Vocation Connections

Each year members volunteer to host a group of Rotarians at their businesses to share the services and products they offer as part of our Rotarians @ Work event. As a member you can offer to host a group at your business or work on the committee to organize the event. We also offer sponsorships for each of our weekly luncheon meetings.

W = World Affairs

We have a very active group engaged in activities around the globe. Projects range from drilling wells in Ethiopia, providing shoes for children in Dominica, educating girls in India, to providing composting toilets in Madagascar.

X = “X” Marks the Spot for Where in the World are the Rotarians

We have Club 17 Rotary Wheels that members take with them on their vacations. Tuck a wheel in your suitcase and snap a photo of you and the wheel on your travels. You can then post the photos on our very active Facebook group page so everyone will know “Where in the World are the Rotarians”!

Y = Youth Exchange

Our Club hosts students from around the world and local high school students participate in exchanges with Rotary Clubs in other countries. As a member, you can share your home and our amazing city with a student from another country or if you have a high school student, they can apply to travel to a foreign land as an exchange student.

Z = Zillions of Ways to Connect to People from Zincinnati to Zambia

Rotary International has over 1.2 million members in 34,000 clubs around the globe. Through Rotary International Fellowships you can connect with people in countries around the world who share your interest in everything from golf, to wine, to scuba diving.