Rotary International has been a partner with the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in serving young people since their inception. As Rotary spread around the world, its support of Scouting and Girl Guiding also spread. In 1916, Rotarians in Edinburgh, Scotland, joined by 100 local Scouts, organized a special Christmas party for children whose fathers were serving in World War I. In 1922, the Rotary Club of Manila, Philippines, established a local Scout council. Rotary Clubs from Australia to Brunei built huts for Girl Guide groups.
The principles and goals of Rotary, Scouting and Guiding are closely allied. Character-building; service to country, to others, and to self; teaching leadership skills; and becoming aware of the world around us–these are all incorporated into the programs and activities of each organization. The values expressed in Rotary International’s Motto and the Four Way Test greatly parallel those articulated in the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan.
Rotarians have long served as role models, demonstrating leadership, character, and the value of selfless service to the community. Rotary founder Paul P. Harris was himself a recipient of Scouting's prestigious Silver Buffalo award in 1934. His and others' efforts represent to a high degree the slogan "Every Rotarian an Example to Youth."
One of the first interactions between Rotary and both Scouting and Guiding were in helping provide camps. Many early camps were called Camp Rotary and many such camps still exist. Rotary clubs also chartered or otherwise supported Scout and Guide groups. Today, Rotarians remain among the foremost sponsors of Scouting and Guiding, seeing it, like Rotary, as an excellent way to serve others. Rotary clubs in the United States charter over 1,400 Scouting units (Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Venturing crews) serving about 45,000 Scouts.
Conversely, Scouting and Guiding has proven to be a strong partner in Rotary's mission "to help build a better world". One example is ShelterBox which provides supplies designed to help an extended family of up to 10 people survive a disaster for at least 6 months. This project was started in 2000 by a Rotary Club in Cornwall, England. It has spread to become the largest project of any Rotary club in the world. Scout and Guide groups quickly joined in supporting ShelterBox. In 2009, The Scout Association officially became a partner in Shelter Box. ShelterBox has worked on every continent, responding to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanoes and conflicts.
Such is the burden we carry as Scouters and Guiders. Coupled with our commitment to “Serve Above Self” as Rotarians, the opportunities to give of ourselves are endless. Many of us give of our time and talent on a local basis. Virtually every one of us has shown an interest in reaching out beyond our own borders through our affiliation with this fellowship.
Conversely, Scouting and Guiding has proven to be a strong partner in Rotary's mission "to help build a better world". One example is ShelterBox which provides supplies designed to help an extended family of up to 10 people survive a disaster for at least 6 months. This project was started in 2000 by a Rotary Club in Cornwall, England. It has spread to become the largest project of any Rotary club in the world. Scout and Guide groups quickly joined in supporting ShelterBox. In 2009, The Scout Association officially became a partner in Shelter Box. ShelterBox has worked on every continent, responding to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanoes and conflicts.
Colchester (UK) Scout Band joined with Colchester Forum Rotary Club
through IFSR’s Project to support ShelterBox, which was originated by Past IFSR
World President David A. Judge and launched at Gilwell Reunion 2009 with Scout
Association and ShelterBox.
Colchester Scout Band (CSB) raised 250 Pounds to add to a similar sum from
Colchester Forum to fund one complete ShelterBox. Colchester Forums Past Presidents
John Russell and David Judge visited Colchester Scout Band to talk about ShelterBox
and Rotary programmes related to young people. This should be the start of
a positive link between CSB and Colchester Forum, who have in the past, and continue
to donate to ShelterBox.
Many Civic and Scouting leaders and dignitaries including IFSR in RIBI Secretary
Michael Francis & Mary, attended CSB Awards evening on 27th November 2010
when CSB Bandmaster John Larner presented Colchester Forum President Ivan Stedman
with a check. THANK YOU COLCHESTER SCOUT BAND.
BECOME A FOUNDING MEMBER OF A NEW ROTARY ACTION GROUP TO FIGHT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY
Do you (or anyone in your Club) know a family member or Rotary friend
dealing with Muscular Dystrophy? A new Rotary Action Group is being
organized to work with folks world wide who are challenged with this muscle
disorder. You are needed - to be one of the founding members of this new
Rotary Action Group
Rotarians John and Jeanne Brunk of Groveland, California, USA, are
developing the Muscular Dystrophy Action Group to help with the fight and
treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle disorder that affects 1
in 3500 boys worldwide. Their grandson Carter was diagnosed with Duchenne
Muscular Dystrophy in 2005 at the age of one. Their drive to fight Duchenne
has reached great momentum. John has served as past-president of the
Groveland Rotary Club and ADG of District 5220. To organize the MD-RAG we
need Rotarians in at least 3 other countries to join those in the USA in
the fight against this fatal disease, so that international development of
the group can support their goals.
If you want to help get this new RAG formed, are are interested in helping
in some other way, or are looking to learn more, please email John and
Jeanne Brunk at
. Thank you
for your support!
The International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) is one of more than fifty Rotary
Fellowship Groups established
to bring together Rotarians with similar interests from around the world. This fellowship is
not an agency, or controlled by, Rotary International, WAGGGS or WOSM.
It is made up
of Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, Interact and Rotaract Members who are or were, also, members and/or supporters of the Scout and/or Girl Guide movements.
IFSR Annual Meeting at BSA National Meeting
IFSR Annual Meeting at Rotary International Convention
Aim The aim of IFSR is to develop a strong association
internationally between Rotarians and associates who are, or have been, active
members and/or supporters of the Scout Movement including national organizations
that are members of the World Organization of Scout Movements (WOSM)
or the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).
Objectives
The Objectives of IFSR include the following:
To encourage and foster the ideal of service by Rotarians to promote the growth and development of the Scout movement.
To provide opportunities for social and fellowship interaction among IFSR members.
To give active encouragement to Scouting at local, national and international levels.
To recognize individuals who have provided exceptionally unique service to Scouting and to Rotary.
Membership
Membership of IFSR is open to any Rotarian in good standing,
Rotary spouse or partner or family member or associate who is presently (or has
formerly been) a member and/or supporter of WOSM or WAGGGS organizations
Bud Allison, 2008 World President - International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) and Nathan A. Wolfstein IV, Co-Founder, Eagle ScoutParents - BSA National Parent Initiative, 2008-09 Rotary District 5260 Community Service Chairman and 'Recently Appointed' IFSR Webmaster,
at the IFSR Booth at the Rotary International Convention.
About the International Fellowship of
Scouting Rotarians
At the Rotary International Convention held in Mexico City in 1991, several Rotarians who were also Scouters met and discussed how to provide an outlet for both interests through a fellowship group within Rotary International. It was felt that because of these dual interests and involvement, there should be many opportunities for past and present Scouters to further the Scouting/Rotary ideals and relationships at local, regional, national, and international levels.
Thus was born the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. Numbering over 1,000 members worldwide at the present time, this group is aiding the on-going spirit of Service Above Self. After approval was received from Rotary International, IFSR joined the over 60 different Fellowships and Action Groups sanctioned by Rotary International in which active Rotarians may share their interests and hobbies.
Like original Scouting, the first such group was located in the British Isles (RIBI) and is now spreading throughout the Rotary and Scouting worlds. Canada, Eastern Russia (RI District 5010), the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean were formed into the Inter-American Region. The IFSR is structured along the lines of the World Organization of Scout Movement, which has six distinct regions or areas for administrative purposes - European, Eurasian, African, Australian, Interamerican, and Asian.
Such is the burden we carry as Scouters and Guiders. Coupled with our commitment to “Serve Above Self” as Rotarians, the opportunities to give of ourselves are endless. Many of us give of our time and talent on a local basis. Virtually every one of us has shown an interest in reaching out beyond our own borders through our affiliation with this fellowship.
Do you (or anyone in your Club) know a family member or Rotary friend
dealing with Muscular Dystrophy? A new Rotary Action Group is being
organized to work with folks world wide who are challenged with this muscle
disorder. You are needed - to be one of the founding members of this new
Rotary Action Group 
. Thank you
for your support! 
In an exciting sequence of events, the IFSR Organizing Committee for Morocco was officially created on January 9, 2010. The members are:
