Learn more about membership in the Rotary Club of Washington, DC

Our Club was founded in July 1912, the 46th Rotary Club to be established following the founding of the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. There are now approximately 35,000+ clubs worldwide with 1.2 million members.

The Rotary Club of Washington, DC has about 140 members, all successful professionals or retirees with a shared commitment to the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

You are welcome to attend a Club lunch meeting to learn more about our activities and culture. The Rotary Club of Washington, DC meets every Wednesday, promptly 12:30-1:30 p.m., at the University Club, 1135 16th Street NW, Washington, DC. When you come to the University Club, head up the main staircase (or elevator) and introduce yourself at the 2nd floor registration table and tell them that you are a prospective Rotarian. The cost for lunch is $35.

We would also like invite you to attend a Prospective Membership Orientation, which takes place every 6th Monday from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Please register here. It’s the best opportunity to meet Club leaders and learn more firsthand about why joining us is so rewarding personally and professionally.

If you have any questions that aren’t already addressed, please send an email to membership@dcrotaryclub.org and we will respond as soon as possible.

Thank you for your interest in membership in the Rotary Club of Washington, DC.

Next Steps:
1. If you have not yet attended one of our club luncheons, we strongly encourage you to do so before submitting an application for membership. Contact the Membership Committee to attend an upcoming luncheon.

2. Before you complete your application online, be sure to have the following documents. Some of them you will upload as you complete the application; others will be submitted separately to complete your application packet, which will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval once all documents have been received:
– Letter from your sponsoring member
– Letter explaining why you would like to join the club*
– Headshot*
– Resume*
*Submitted through the online application

3. Payment for application fee (unless you are a current Rotarian transferring from another club or seeking reinstatement). Click here to pay your application fee online.

Once your application packet is complete, it will be submitted to the Board of Directors for approval at their next monthly meeting (the third Thursday of each month). Once your application is submitted, you may attend club lunches each week, paying for your meal at the door.

DOWNLOADS

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

Download Dues Structure

Application Fee:

$250.00 (application fee is waived if you are a transferring Rotarian from another Rotary club or are a former member of this club asking to be reinstated)

Club Dues:

$265.00 quarterly and must be pre-paid. An obligation to pay dues continues until a member formally resigns.

Meals at Weekly Meetings:

$105.00 quarterly and must be prepaid for three (3) meals per quarter. Additional meals are $35.00 per meeting attended.

For members whose combined age and years in Rotary exceed 85, meals do not need to be prepaid and are then charged only when eaten at a rate of $35 per meal. The same rate is charged for visiting Rotarians.

Meal payments for those who do not prepay are generally due at the time of the meeting, but members without overdue payments may charge meals to their accounts and be billed monthly.

Leave of Absence Policy:

In certain circumstances, such as for extended illness or travel to an area where it is not practical to attend other Rotary clubs, the Board of Directors may approve a request for a Leave of Absence for up to six months in a calendar year. During that period members do not participate in our club and are not required to pay for meals but must pay quarterly dues. We have a dynamic membership, and many members travel outside the area for personal or professional reasons. Members are encouraged to attend other Rotary clubs when they are on travel. When they do, they receive a $30 credit (a maximum of three credits per quarter will be paid) on their account if they have prepaid our club for meals and are not on a Leave of Absence.

Guests of Club Members at Weekly Lunches:

Members may bring guests to the club and pay for their meals at a rate of $35 per meal ($35 for a visiting Rotarian).

Young Professionals [Young Pro] MEMBERSHIP

Up to 20 members maximum of the total club membership may be admitted to full membership with their costs subsidized if they are under the age of 35. After the month in which they turn 35 they are to be charged regular dues and meal costs.

Application Fee:
$100.00 (application fee is waived if a transferring Rotarian from another Rotary club)

Club Dues:
$125.00 quarterly and must be pre-paid.

Meals at Weekly Meetings:
$20.00 per meal, paid only when attending a meeting (pre-payment is not required) Payment is due at the time of the meal.

Guests of Young Professionals [Young Pro] Club Members at Weekly Lunches:
Guests of Young Professionals [Young Pro] members are treated the same as guests of other members. The host pays the $35 meal cost.

FAMILY/DOMESTIC PARTNER MEMBERSHIP

Any DC Rotary Club member’s immediate family including domestic partners.

Application Fee:
$250.00 (application fee is waived if you are a transferring Rotarian from another Rotary club or are a former member of this club asking to be reinstated)

Club Dues:
$132.50 quarterly and must be pre-paid. An obligation to pay dues continues until a member formally resigns.

Meals at Weekly Meetings:
$35.00 per meal, paid only when attending a meeting (pre-payment is not required). Payment is due at the time of the meal.

Guests of Family/Domestic Partner Members at Weekly Lunches:
Members may bring guests to the club and pay for their meals at a rate of $35 per meal ($35 for a visiting Rotarian).

ORGANIZATIONAL MEMBERSHIP

An organizational membership can have up to five additional associates. Corporations, Embassies, Nonprofits, Non-Governmental Organizations and Institutions of Higher Education can be part of this category

Application Fee:
$250.00 (application fee is waived if you are a transferring Rotarian from another Rotary club or are a former member of this club asking to be reinstated)

Club Dues:
$795.00 quarterly and must be pre-paid. An obligation to pay dues continues until a member formally resigns.

Meals at Weekly Meetings:

$105.00 quarterly and must be prepaid for three (3) meals per quarter. Additional meals are $35.00 per meeting attended.

Guests of Organizational Members at Weekly Lunches:
Members may bring guests to the club and pay for their meals at a rate of $35 per meal ($35 for a visiting Rotarian).