Are You Interested in Joining Our Club?

How Do I Become a Member of the rotary club of Hattiesburg? 

First, thank you for your interest! With over 1.2 million members in 29,000 clubs throughout the world, you've found the largest service organization that delivers the greatest impact in the world! Founded in 1918, the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg is comprised of approximately 95 local professionals dedicated to advancing Rotary International's mission, Service Above Self, locally, throughout our region, and internationally. 

Please note that membership in any Rotary Club is by invitation only, and individuals must be sponsored or proposed for membership into a club. Often, a person being considered for membership is invited by a club member, or "sponsor," to attend one or more club meetings to learn more about our club. In this case, the sponsor submits the candidate’s name to the club’s membership committee. If you would like a member to reach out to you, please fill out the contact form located at the bottom of this page. 

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP?

  • Hold (or be retired from) a professional, proprietary, executive, managerial, or community position
  • Have demonstrated a commitment to service through personal involvement
  • Be able to meet the club’s weekly attendance or community project participation requirements
  • Live or work within the vicinity of the club or surrounding area

What Are the Responsibilities of Membership?

Members are expected to attend weekly club meetings. They must pay annual dues to their clubs, their Rotary district, and Rotary International, and they’re expected to participate in local or international Rotary club activities or projects. Clubs encourage members to aspire to club leadership or committee roles.

What Are the Attendance Requirements?

An attendance record of 50 percent is required to remain an active Rotarian. Any missed meeting must be made up within 14 days before or after the regular meeting. To accommodate busy schedules, there are various opportunities to make up missed meetings.

What is the Minimum Age to be in Rotary?

There is no minimum age to join Rotary. You may be invited to join at any age after you become established in a career and have the time and financial resources to meet all Rotary club membership requirements. If you’re interested in joining a Rotary club, ask members about the time and financial commitments necessary to fulfill membership requirements, and consider whether you can make those commitments.

Are College Students Eligible for Membership?

No. Rotarians have achieved a level of career experience that enables them to bring a specialization to their club, and students haven’t yet reached a level in their professional and personal lives that allows them to fulfill all aspects of Rotary club membership. But undergraduate and graduate students, as well as young adults, may become members of Rotaract clubs.

Is There a Way for High School Students to Get Involved?

Yes. Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for those ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs give young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects while developing leadership skills and meeting new friends.

Where Do I Find a List of Rotary Classifications?

Per Rotary International, clubs are encouraged to create their own classification lists by using their local phone books, chambers of commerce, or other business directories. Classifications aren’t rigid and can reflect the many types of professions and positions that exist in particular industries. The law classification, for example, can be broken down into criminal law, tax law, intellectual property law, and other fields. 

The Rotary Club of Hattiesburg is proud to have a diverse group of business professionals that includes, but is not limited to, attorneys of varying specialty, bankers, financiers, financial advisors, librarians, development professionals, city officials, doctors of varying specialties, restaurateurs, university administrators, communications specialist, and retirees.  

If I’m Not a Rotary Club Member, Can I Still Help Out with Service Projects?

Yes! You can offer to assist any Rotary club with its local service projects.