Cancun Rotary Club
This was the former website for the Cancun Rotary Club.
Please view as a historical record of what the site looked like in 2007.
Content is from its archived pages and other outside sources.
Their new website can be found at https://rotarycancun.org/
Good Morning. Welcome to Cancun !Our Rotary Club is located in the most popular of Mexican vacation destinations. We hope that when you visit this corner of the Caribbean you will take time to visit our Club.
We meet at the Hotel Oasis America located on Tulum Avenue at the corner of Coba (the extension of Blvd. Kukulcan, the main road that runs through the Hotel Zone).(See Map) Our meetings are held Wednesday evenings. We begin at >9:15 p.m., have dinner, and finish with our business meeting. There's no telling when the post-meeting domino game will break-up (it often runs rather late), but the meeting itself is over around 11:00.
If you have to be up early Thursday morning, we understand and 'tis okay for you to leave after dinner and the exchange of visitor cards/banners.
Note: All our hotels have high speed internet. And although we do have plenty of quality casinos with their exciting nightlife atmosphere, there should be no problems for those visitors from Europe or the Asian Pacific who enjoying playing at online casinos in the privacy of their hotel room. And for our visitors from the United States, your favorite online us casino sites are also available via our excellent internet providers. However, we really encourage you to visit Cancun's top casinos. Six of our best casinos are: Dubai Palace Casino - largest casino in Cancun, Caliente Sports Book & Casino, PlayCity Casino, Playboy Casino Cancun where you can have real live game interaction with dealers and Playboy bunnies, Juega Juega Casino, Casino Palace, and the Royal Yak Casino & Sports Book. Slots, poker, video machines for Poker, Blackjack and Roulette, enjoy gambling, Latina style.
Club Profile
This Rotary Club was born almost at the same time as Cancun was established: 1976. Since then we have grown; although not the case right now, most years we have been the largest Club in District 4200. Most Clubs in the District are small, though, so we have lots of growth potential.
Most of our Community Service work is channeled through the "Centro Comunitario Rotary International de Cancun", the community center we established in a working class neighborhood located on the west side of the city.
At the Center we provide medical and dental consultations, vocational education (beauticians' training and the design and tailoring of clothing), literacy education for adults and children not in "age appropriate" class levels, aerobics classes, and a location for university students to assist the local residents with legal advice and with information relating to home design and construction techniques. Just last spring we started collaborating with a Mexican government program that uses satellite TV and computers for adult education. The students cease being illiterate and become E-literate in one step. During the 2003-04 year we added a "women's shelter" for women at risk; this is operated by an outside agency using part of the Community Center.
Our 4 Avenues of Service
Like all Rotary Clubs, until the beginning of this Rotary Year (up to July 1, 2005) we operated along four "Avenues of Service". This year Rotary has changed the official organizational diagram a bit, but for the time being we can still talk about the previous set-up without confusing you or ourselves:
First Avenue:SERVICE IN THE CLUB. This is where we build friendships among members as a foundation and basis for all of the other service work we may perform locally, within our six state "District 4200", or in the context of Rotary's international presence around the world.
>SERVICE THROUGH OUR OCCUPATIONS. Projects in this Avenue may include vocational fairs for students, worker recognition programs for industry, and education in subjects such as Ethical Business Practices in which the Rotarian's Four-Way Test is the foundation.
Third Avenue:SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY: This is where we concentrate most of our efforts to be a "service club" in which Rotary International's mottoService Before Selfis made manifest to our neighbors.
In Cancun, most of our efforts are organized around the "Centro Comunitario Rotary International de Cancun", a community center which we constructed in 1994 in a working class section of Cancun. At the time it was constructed, the neighborhood had no social services infrastructure, -or even running water,- available to the residents.
Through the Center, local residents have access to on-site Medical and Dental consultations, vocational training, general education, aerobics classes,and soon, access to legal and construction related orientation. Our Adult Education program is part of a new federal program to use satellite links and computers to move the students from "illiterate" to "E-literate".
The Vocational Training which we have given includes:
a) Beautician's Training and
b) Design and Sewing of Clothing.
c) A locally supported Service Project being realized with the Universidad LaSalle de Cancún will soon make available computer and secretarial skills training.
The Educational activities include talks given by the Center's doctors, aerobics, English as a second language, and (through the state government which uses our classrooms) Adult Literacy education and "main-lining" preparation for children who are older than other children at their level of education. These are typically street children or students who previously lived where school attendance was not possible.
Medical and Dental serviceshave been given using equipment and furnishings loaned on a temporary basis.
The Fourth Avenue:SERVICE IN THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. This is the means by which we collaborate with Rotary Clubs in other countries. Some programs are realized on an annual basis, such as International Study/Exchange Groups university level Educational Scholarshipsfor undergraduate and graduate study. During the 2002-2003 Year, the District sent not one but two study groups: one to Michigan, USA and one to a two-country District located in Washington state and British Columbia, Canada. We received the visiting groups in April. In previous years we received Study Groups from northern Ontario, Canada; and North Carolina, USA.)
During the 2002-2003 Year we sent hign school students to British Columbia, Canada and to Germany; we received students from Thailand and Germany. This was the first year we sent our students abroad, but it will not be the last. Previously, our students had participated only in the summer time short period exchanges.
In the 2003-04 Rotary Year we expanded this to 5 students (USA-2, Canada, Germany, Thailand). In addition to receiving the educational benefits, each student is honored with 2 identifying items of value - the Cancun Rotary lapel pin and a cubic zirconia friendship ring with the engraved logo and student name. Additional purchases of these items for credentialed family members can be purchased from our vendor at additional cost.
Other projects are effected on a Club to Club basis, such as the donation of medical aparatuses (wheelchairs, canes, crutches) we received several years ago from theVero Beach Rotary Club, or they may be multi-participant projects in which the Rotary Foundation matches donations of Clubs (and Districts) participating in the realization of an International Service Project.
Information and Links
CANCUN AND THE RIVIERA MAYA
Climate: Winter in Cancun is defined byYe Webmaster as any five days the temperature gets down to 68 F. Typically this happens in December before "winter" officially begins. The rest of the year we enjoy daytime highs of 90-93 F and typical overnight lows of 80. The difference between Summer and the rest of the year is that August and September can be very humid. While there is no "rainy season", rain is more likely from mid-September through early November than at other times.
Installations and Attractions: Cancun has existed only since 1974, and the "Riviera Maya" (previously known as the Tulum Corridor) is even newer, so what you can not do here is sight-see ancient colonial sections of the city. To see the Yucatan's colonial period, zip over to Mérida, 200 miles to the west; when you go, you can stop at Chichen-Itza and see some real antiquities.... pyramids dating from the Late Classic period of Mayan development (circa 600-1100 A.D.).
The Beach Life: Most of the activities in Cancun are water oriented; the Caribbean waters of the region are crystal clear with a turquoise tint and, starting at the south end of Cancun Island, the shore is protected by a Barrier Reef located about a half mile off-shore. This Reef, the second longest in the world, is teaming with colorful sea life which can be observed with a simple snorkel and face mask. SCUBA divers say that near-by Isla Mujeres is the best all around dive destination because it has a tremendous abundance of sea life as well as the corals associated with diving at Cozumel.
Land Lubbers: The non-acquatic oriented visitor can spend time catching the sun's rays on the beach, playing golf on one of the four courses in the Cancun - Riviera Maya region (more opening this year), checking out the archeological sites, or shopping, shopping, shopping.
More Background on Rotary-Cancun.org
Rotary-Cancun.org represents the Rotary Club of Cancún, an organization deeply rooted in the city’s social and cultural fabric. Founded in 1976, this Rotary Club has been instrumental in shaping community service efforts in Cancún and beyond. Below is a comprehensive overview of Rotary-Cancun.org based on sources that do not originate from Rotary-Cancun.org itself.
The Rotary Club of Cancún: History and Growth
The Rotary Club of Cancún was established at a time when Cancún was beginning to emerge as a premier tourist destination. During its early days, the city was experiencing rapid development, and the club quickly became involved in addressing some of the socio-economic challenges that came with this growth. Rotary’s commitment to service was especially crucial during this period, as many local residents faced poverty, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare services.
While there is limited direct media coverage of the club's early work, it is known that Rotary Cancún took significant steps in community outreach by creating long-term projects that addressed the immediate needs of the local population. The club has continued to grow over the decades, expanding its influence not only within Quintana Roo but also internationally, through its association with Rotary International.
Service Projects and Community Involvement
The Rotary Club of Cancún’s most notable achievement is the "Centro Comunitario Rotary International de Cancún." This community center, established in 1994, was a groundbreaking initiative aimed at providing essential services to the working-class neighborhoods of Cancún. At the time, many of these communities lacked even basic infrastructure, such as running water and adequate healthcare. The community center filled this gap by offering medical and dental services, vocational training, and adult literacy programs.
Over the years, the community center has expanded its offerings, providing free healthcare consultations, legal advice, and education programs. One unique aspect of the center is its partnership with the Mexican government to deliver satellite-based education programs. This initiative has enabled adults to improve their literacy and technical skills, helping them become more competitive in the workforce.
Additionally, the Rotary Club of Cancún has collaborated with various international Rotary Clubs to expand its reach. These partnerships have resulted in the donation of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and crutches, from overseas clubs. This global collaboration has allowed the Cancún chapter to make a substantial impact on the lives of the disabled and elderly residents in the community.
Cultural Significance and International Influence
Rotary International, of which Rotary-Cancun.org is a part, has long been recognized for its emphasis on fostering goodwill, peace, and international cooperation. The Cancún chapter exemplifies these values through its participation in Rotary’s international exchange programs. Each year, the club sends students abroad to countries like the United States, Germany, and Canada, while welcoming students from various countries to Cancún. These exchanges provide students with invaluable cross-cultural experiences and foster long-term international relationships.
The Rotary Club of Cancún’s involvement in global initiatives has also extended to participation in broader Rotary programs. For example, the club has been involved in Rotary’s worldwide campaign to eradicate polio, contributing both financially and through volunteer efforts.
Rotary Cancún also helps organize events and campaigns that align with global Rotary causes such as promoting peace, providing access to clean water, combating disease, and enhancing education. Through its local efforts and international collaborations, the Rotary Club of Cancún demonstrates its commitment to both local development and global progress.
Audience and Membership
The Rotary Club of Cancún attracts a wide variety of members, including local business leaders, expatriates, and professionals from different sectors. The club’s membership includes both long-time residents of Cancún and newcomers who are eager to contribute to the community. Rotary members are drawn to the organization for its reputation of integrity and commitment to service.
Many Rotary members in Cancún are actively involved in both the local and global Rotary networks. This allows them to not only make an impact on their immediate community but also to participate in larger projects that address international challenges such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief.
Reviews and Media Coverage
While Rotary-Cancun.org and the Rotary Club of Cancún may not receive extensive media coverage, their impact is well-documented within the broader Rotary network. The club’s work, particularly through its community center, has been recognized in various Rotary publications and at Rotary International conferences. In particular, the Cancún club’s innovative use of technology to provide education and its collaboration with international partners have been highlighted as examples of Rotary’s global vision and local impact.
Furthermore, reviews from local residents who have benefited from the Rotary Club’s programs speak to the club’s positive reputation. The community center has been praised for its accessible healthcare services and vocational training programs, which have helped many people improve their quality of life.
Future Outlook
The Rotary Club of Cancún is expected to continue growing in both size and influence in the coming years. The club remains committed to addressing the evolving needs of the community, whether through expanded healthcare services or new educational initiatives. Given Cancún’s status as an international destination, the Rotary Club will likely continue to leverage its global connections to bring new resources and opportunities to the local population.
The Rotary Club of Cancún has already established itself as a model for community service in Mexico. By focusing on long-term, sustainable projects and fostering international collaboration, the club has become a vital part of both the local and global Rotary networks. As Cancún continues to develop, Rotary-Cancun.org will likely remain a key player in the region’s ongoing growth and improvement.
