Service Above Self
Despite a record of exceptional service to the community and to the world, the story of the Rotary Club of Comox is not about history, it is about the future.
The vision of Comox Rotary is to take the basic principle of the worldwide Rotary movement, “Service Above Self”, and have a good time doing it. Meeting in the evening (with time for socialization) and having an increasingly youthful and energetic membership means that Comox Rotary has an easier time having fun while doing good.
A group wishing to form a Rotary Club must be sponsored by another Rotary Club and our Club was sponsored by the Courtenay Rotary Club. On April 8, 1974, the Comox Rotary Club was Certified by Rotary International. Charter night was held May 11, 1974 with twenty-six members.
Shortly after the Comox Rotary Club was inaugurated in the spring of 1974, the club began building. First the club renovated Dusty’s Den, now the Town of Comox council chambers, then acted as general contractor to build the d’Esterre House building. The building is now owned by the Town of Comox and managed by the Comox Seniors Centre Association, but Comox Rotary meets there to commemorate the first large project of the club.
Since that time, Comox Rotary has built everything from fish ladders on Brooklyn Creek (and saved a threatened run of salmon), to a bridge in Simms Park, a display in the Cumberland Museum, walkways and access along the Comox harbour, buildings at Marina Park, Forbidden Plateau, Therapeutic Gardens and seemingly wherever needed to assist youth, seniors, the environment or the disadvantaged. [Read More]
As well as building, the Comox Rotary Club has been a huge supporter of various socially necessary organizations in the Comox Valley, including providing the seed money and initial impetus for the Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness Society. The Comox Rotary Club tends to put their muscles where their money goes, so they don’t just support Dawn to Dawn, they have spent many volunteer hours refurbishing old recreation vehicles for Dawn to Dawn. Comox Rotary has given similar aid to the Child Development Centre, the Comox Bay Care Society (the Care-a-van) and numerous other organizations. [Read More]
The majority of the funding for Comox Rotary local projects comes from the world famous Ducky 500 Race on Canada Day at Lewis Park in Courtenay. An investment of $10 buys the lucky buyer a chance to win prizes if their numbered rubber duck reaches the finish line ahead of the rest of the pack.
Comox Rotary also works around the world by partnering with Rotary clubs in disadvantaged areas of the world. The current major project involves drilling water wells in Honduras, providing sanitation and replanting deforested areas around the same villages. Comox Rotarians have traveled to Honduras to evaluate the need. In the future, Comox Rotarians will be traveling to Honduras to assist with delivering the assistance.
Comox Rotary is looking to the future by encouraging young leaders, both through Rotary youth programs such as the Interact club at Mark Isfeld and through development of young leaders within the Rotary Club of Comox itself.