While Rotary is alive and well throughout the world, including several clubs in Cuernavaca, the goal is ensure inclusion of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their language, age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity within the 43,000 clubs globally. Despite the significant number of English speakers, there are no English language-based Rotary Clubs in Cuernavaca. The closest English language club, The Frank Devlyn International Rotary Club, is in Mexico City.
A Language-based Rotary Club is one whose members speak a common language other than the primary language of their district. People, such as expatriates, want to connect with each other using a common language, or prefer to connect through their language. Flexibility is one of a language-based club’s defining features. Rotary takes their members’ needs and desires into account to allow a club that accepts anyone, of any culture, and allows them to be a part of the Rotary experience in a way that works for them. A bonus is that members learn about the state of the world and get new global perspectives.
As a long-time Rotarian before moving to Cuernavaca, the author Bill Hood served as the President of the Northeast Austin Rotary Club and as an Assistant Governor of Rotary District 5870 in Central Texas. After spending his career as an International Consultant, he finally settled in Cuernavaca where there is a thriving expat community. Among the many international expats, he found people from not only from the USA, but Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, and Scotland. The one thing they all had in common was that they spoke English.
Hood wanted to join a local Rotary Club, where he could continue to other like-minded individuals. But each time he attended a local club and asked to join, they would hesitate, because the meetings were in Spanish language-based,” explains Hood. He also thought, ‘How do we not have an English language-based Rotary Club in Cuernavaca, with so many English speakers from all over the world?” He also realized that a great number of Mexicans living in Cuernavaca also spoke English, and would love to associate with others who spoke English.
Hood’s goal is to start an English language-based Rotary Club in Cuernavaca. He currently has 15 individuals interested in the potential club, and is working toward a goal of 25 members to get started. Anyone who is interested in joining the club can join the group can subscribe by sending an email to billhood@billhoodconsulting.com.
Rotary International
Rotary International today is not much different than it was when Chicago attorney Paul Harris formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905. His purpose was so that professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
From that simple purpose, over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. To be of great value, Rotary depends on member clubs to provide a local approach to the goal of humanitarian service. Today, individuals continue to join Rotary’s more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers within clubs worldwide, who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. Since 1905, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.
What Rotary Does
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Member clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
- Protect the environment
- and More
Rotary’s mission
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Rotary’s Vision
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We are people of action
We connect passionate people with diverse perspectives to exchange ideas, forge lifelong friendships, and, above all, take action to change the world.
We are Problem-Solvers
Together, we apply our professional experience and personal commitment to tackle our communities’ most persistent problems, finding new, effective ways to enhance health, stability, and prosperity across the globe.
We Are Opportunity-Creators
Rotary members look for opportunities to improve our communities today and invest in the next generation for tomorrow.
We are Community Builders
We collaborate with community leaders who want to get to work on projects that have a real, lasting impact on people’s lives.
We work differently
We see differently: Our multidisciplinary perspective helps us see challenges in unique ways.
We think differently: We apply leadership and expertise to social issues — and find unique solutions.
We act responsibly: Our passion and perseverance create lasting change.
We make a difference at home and around the world: Our members can be found in your community and across the globe.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their language, age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
As stated we need at least 25 people to start a new Rotary Club for English-speakers in Cuernavaca. We need your help in finding other English-speaking individuals in Cuernavaca who share an interest in humanitarian service to others. Together, we can make a difference. Anyone who is interested in joining the club can join the group can subscribe by sending an email to billhood@billhoodconsulting.com.
