Rotary is the  oldest and largest service organization in the world. The Family of Rotary has 532 Districts, over 33,000 Clubs, and  l.21 million members in more than 200 countries and geographic areas. One of our objectives is to make Rotary  more visible in our communities and in our World. We focus on encouraging our members to participate in Rotary service throughout the year and also to contribute to their communities, the Rotary Foundation and disaster relief. It is amazing how each Rotarian's individual effort, combined with that of all the other Rotarians and Friends of Rotary around the world, are making a significant difference. It is only through these efforts that Rotarians can promote peace and understanding and do good in the world.

Our Rotary motto of Service Above Self is always front and foremost in our plans and projects. The RI theme of Reach Within to Embrace Humanity asks each Rotarian to seek for change by first changing within oneself; this change will have a profound effect on an outward change.

Projects of The Rotary Club of Oak Bay follow the Rotary Foundation Motto: Doing Good In the World. We have assisted young children both locally (Quadra School, George Jay School) and internationally (La Penita in Mexico, Rwanda, and Malawi); we have assisted seniors (Memory Cafe at Oak Bay Lodge). The Club has sponsored an Interact Club at Oak Bay High School. These students have participated in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), and Adventures in Citizenship, both excellent training experiences for leadership, participation and community service.

2011-12 will see The Club continuing with the above-mentioned projects while adding new ones. Locally we hope to expand the Interact program to another school in our community; internationally there are projects in both India and Guatemala.

If we all do a little, a lot can be accomplished – a worthwhile philosophy that makes us proud to be Rotarians.