History of The Rotary Club of Sydney-Sunrise
About Our Club
ROTARY CLUB OF SYDNEY-SUNRISE
OUR HISTORY
The Rotary Club of Sydney-Sunrise was formed in 1995 as a Thursday breakfast meeting club made up of some members of the lunchtime Rotary Club of Sydney, some former Rotarians and new recruits to Rotary.
In February 1996, our new breakfast club was presented with our charter and became a member of the world-wide brotherhood and sisterhood of Rotary, achieving a membership of 32 in our first winter of existence.
The Club’s first meeting place was at the Cape Bretoner Motel which was followed by the Quality Inn on King’s Road. While our meeting venue has changed over time, for the past number of years we have been meeting at Boston Pizza each Thursday morning at 7:30 am.
Although our number of members has fluctuated over the years, a strong, dedicated core from the early years remains. Currently our membership hovers just above 30.
A relaxed and welcoming atmosphere exists at our weekly meetings and although not strictly formal, the club does function in a professional manner. We also enjoy several social activities during the year at which spouses, family members and friends are encouraged to participate.
Since receiving our charter in 1996, numerous local organizations, charities, groups and individuals have benefited from the participation and support of the Club.
Annually our Club and the other Cape Breton Rotary clubs are involved in key fundraising events including the Rotary Golf Tournament, and the annual "Rotary Ribfest" at Open Hearth Park in Sydney, the biggest summer event on the island. Monies from both these events and other fundraising undertaken by club members have gone to support Hospice Cape Breton, the Regional Hospital Foundation, Caleb’s Courage, and the United Way. With this funding we have also supported and continue to support causes within our community focused on youth, health, food insecurity, seniors, and community infrastructure. Some of the projects include support to Loaves and Fishes, the Glace Bay Food Bank, New Dawn Guest Home, Glace Bay and Memorial High School Interact Clubs, scholarships for students at Glace Bay and Memorial High and much more.
Our global projects have focused on such things as a dental project in Armenia, medical excursions to South America and Africa, a school for Haitian children in the Dominican Republic, international student exchanges, etc.
We are also the Proud host club of two Rotary Past District Governors, Ian Doyle and the late David Muise.
Although proud of our short but successful history, the Rotary Club of Sydney-Sunrise continues to plan for the future with a strategic plan which guides us and is reviewed and updated on a yearly basis.
To learn more about how Sydney-Sunrise Rotary Club supports projects in our community and globally, please visit Projects We Support to view a full list.