Shoreline Rotary Club

The Shoreline Rotary is a community service organization chartered in 1962 that brings together local leaders to take action through service. Comprising over 40 individuals, the club operates under the principle of "Service Above Self," focusing on both local community improvement and global humanitarian efforts.

Part of a Bigger Effort Promoting Service Above Self

Shoreline Rotary is a part of Rotary International, a global service organization with over 1.2 million members (Rotarians) across more than 45,000 clubs in 200+ countries. Founded in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris, it began as a way for professionals to exchange ideas and form friendships but quickly evolved into a powerful humanitarian force. On a more local level, Shoreline Rotary is part of District 5030 and works regularly with the 55 Rotary Clubs and a vibrant network of approximately 2,246 members across the Seattle metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Washington state. An advantage of this large network of Rotarians and Rotary Clubs is that Shoreline Rotarians always have a unique "global passport" that provides immediate connections and access to local expertise through visits to local clubs where they meet "instant friends" who are often prominent community and business leaders.

Like other Rotary Clubs, Shoreline Rotary’s service Projects align directly with Rotary International's seven areas of focus by addressing both local needs and critical global humanitarian challenges.

Basic Education and Literacy: The club is heavily invested in Shoreline Schools, funding the IXL math program at Parkwood Elementary and providing over $10,000 in annual college scholarships to local students. They also supply over 400 backpacks with school supplies each year to children in need.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH): Globally, the club has raised more than $300,000 for the HEED Uganda project to build water harvesting, storage, and natural filtration systems for schools and clinics. [, 2]

Disease Prevention and Treatment: Through HEED Uganda, the club funded a "sick bay" clinic and a trained nurse to treat students, and supported efforts to provide 300 mosquito nets to prevent malaria. [1, 2]

Economic and Community Development: Shoreline Rotary supports mobility and economic independence through the PETS Project, providing hand-powered carts for individuals with physical disabilities. Locally, members recently cleared 200 cubic yards of debris to prepare for the North City Station community gathering space. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Maternal and Child Health: The club supports the Talita Cumi Children’s Home in Mexico, which rescues children from abandonment and abuse, providing essential repairs and supplies. []
Protecting the Environment: Members maintain local green spaces, including the Shoreline Rotary Arboretum and Rotary Park. They also host Earth Day restoration events to remove invasive species and plant native species to increase biodiversity. [, 2]
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention: This focus is woven into their international missions and local outreach. The Club installed a Peace Pole in Shoreline’s Rotary Park to promote mutual respect and dialogue within the community

Shoreline Rotary extends its reach to young leaders of the Next Generation through sponsorship of an Interact Club at Shorewood High School where students ages 12 to 18 can learn to work together to serve emerging needs in their community. As a key part of our commitment to youth service Shoreline Rotary sponsors a high school student’s participation in District 5030’s RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) program. RYLA is an intensive leadership experience that takes place over a multi-day camp designed to help young people (typically ages 14–18) develop their skills as leaders while having fun and making connections. Shoreline Rotary has been active over the years in the Rotary Youth Exchange which is a program that sends students to live in other countries to build international understanding.

Some Shoreline Rotary Club Details

Shoreline Rotary is a membership-based organization that requires members to pay annual dues to cover club operations and contributions to the larger Rotary network.

Shoreline Rotary follows a structured monthly rhythm, primarily meeting on the first and third Wednesday mornings at Shoreline Community College in the Quiet Dining Room of Building 9000 (the Pagoda Student Union Building)

Meetings generally run from 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM, with members often arriving as early as 7:00 AM for social time. Most morning meetings are hybrid, allowing members to attend in person or via Zoom.

Shoreline Rotary’s monthly rhythm usually follows this schedule

Week 1: AM Meeting at Shoreline Community College.
Week 2: Community Service Project (often hands-on work in the field).
Week 3: AM Meeting at Shoreline Community College.
Week 4: PM Social or "After Hours" meeting (typically on a Thursday at a variable location).
Week 5: No scheduled meeting.

Joining the Shoreline Rotary family is a way to turn your passion for service into tangible community impact alongside a diverse group of local professionals and leaders.

Ways to Connect with Us

Visit a Meeting: Most people discover their fit by being personally invited to a meeting. We typically welcome guests for their first few meetings for free, so you can experience our club's dynamic firsthand.
Join a Service Project: If you prefer "hands-on" action, you can volunteer at one of our local events. Check our calendar for our next service project
Attend a Social: We host informal gatherings, from coffee meetups to evening socials, which are perfect for low-pressure networking and getting to know our members.

Why Join the Rotary Family?

Meaningful Impact: You’ll work on projects that directly benefit our community, such as providing student scholarships and supporting local parks.
Professional & Personal Growth: Membership offers unique opportunities to expand your leadership skills, practice public speaking, and network with a cross-section of every business community.
Lifelong Friendships: Rotary was founded on the need for fellowship. You’ll join a supportive network that acts as a "cheering section" for your successes and a support system during challenges.
Global Connection: As a Rotarian, you are part of a worldwide family where you are welcomed at any of the 45,000+ clubs globally while traveling.

Ready to see for yourself? Check our current meeting schedule or contact a member to be our guest at an upcoming lunch. We would love to meet you and hear about your passions for our community.