'A gem in the Marylebone Community'
Many members of the Marylebone community may not know much about Rotary or the St. Marylebone club but the club's new President, Robert Rosenthal wants to change all that. Since he took over as President of the St. Marylebone Club in June 2009 he has sought to increase the profile of the St. Marylebone Club and Rotary International generally.
Robert has been a member of the St.Marylebone Rotary Club since 1989 and because of business and family commitments has waited until now to assume the Presidency at a time when he can give the time and energy the position requires. Robert opened his own accountancy practice in 1988 in Marylebone Lane so he is very familiar with Marylebone although he resides in Chiswick. Robert believes the key to the clubs' success is good organisation. His mantra for the year has been to try to do less but do it better. This approach appears to be working very well. Membership is growing and there has been a strong
commitment to fellowship with very good attendances at the weekly meetings. It is important to enjoy Rotary and have fun in the process.
Rotary International was the world's first service club founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois by Paul Harris. Over the years the number of club's has grown to thousands with Rotary represented now in most countries of the world. Internationally, Rotary has been involved in many good causes but is most focused on the eradication of polio throughout the world through the Polio Plus programme. Bill Gates has worked along-side Rotary International to ensure this disease is no longer found in any country on earth.
Locally, the St. Marylebone Club is doing a great deal for the community. During the year the club has raised over £25,000 to fund a mini bus for the Portman Early Childhood Centre. The club also holds a special lunch in the spring for local senior citizens. In addition to the Polio Plus campaign, the club is raising funds for an orphanage in Bali and has funded at least 6 shelter and aqua boxes which can be used for victims of earthquakes and other natural disasters. In the past week Rotary has taken the lead in providing disaster relief to the victims of terrible devastation in Haiti. It is hoped that the club will exceed its expectations in terms of fundraising this year.
The St. Marylebone Rotary Club has 35 members and meets every Thursday at 12.45pm at the Sherlock Holmes Hotel on Baker Street. Members meet for lunch and usually have an interesting guest speaker. Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to join the club members for lunch and find out more about this great organisation or go to the website at
www.stmarylebonerotaryclub.com to find out more.
