Portland New Generations Rotary Club

I have been to 3 Rotary meetings with a friend who is a member. It’s kinda weird that I went at all, being that I had no idea what the Rotary was and thought it was something like the AARP. All I did know — after helping the same friend at the NW Children’s Outreach — was that they could be my way in to doing more charity work.
While I have not yet become a member, I have no problem paying the $ 10 returning visitor fee (your first meeting is free).
What you can expect at any given meeting is to meet a whole bunch of super nice people. You also get to network at their 30 minute «Happy hour» before the meetings, while enjoying really good food and drinks (beer, wine, soda or water)
You then get 30 minutes of announcements about job openings and upcoming events then hear a very valuable speaker for 30 minutes. 2 weeks ago we got condensed training from Choya with the YWCA regarding all the forms of domestic violence against women, children and even men. Last week we heard from Paula Lucas — who is the founder and Executive Director of Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (a toll free hot line for American women overseas, who are in abusive relationships and want to come home).
Both woman had so much to say — in such a short time frame — that I’d wished they could have been given at least an hour. What they had to say was so interesting that personally, even with my self-​diagnosed ADD, I could have easily sat and listened another 30 minutes.
Lastly, I really like what the Rotary stands for, which is summed up in their 4-​step credo:
FIRST: Is it the TRUTH?
SECOND: Is it FAIR to all concerned?
THIRD: Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
FOURTH: Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
If you want to get involved in charity or just mix and mingle with good people — who want to do charity work — give them a try. I wasn’t disappointed and will continue to go.

I’m somewhat new to Portland, and this club has been a great way to meet people and network. Lots of energetic and fun people, interesting guest speakers, and cool international service projects. I’ll be back. :)

I joined this club about 4 months ago. So far I’ve been really impressed by the quality of the people involved (I guess they’re called Rotarians). The club has already planned 3 international service projects. There is a nice mix of entrepreneurs, business professionals and artists in the group. It’s a great community and I’m excited to see it grow and evolve.