SERVICE ABOVE SELF
The Object of Rotary
At the core of Rotary is a timeless belief: service is the foundation of meaningful enterprise. For more than a century, Rotarians have embraced this ideal as a guiding force in their personal lives, their professions, and their commitment to community.
Rotary’s mission is expressed through four enduring principles:
First — Building genuine connections as a pathway to service, recognizing that relationships create opportunities to uplift others.
Second — Upholding high ethical standards in every profession, honoring the dignity and value of all useful occupations, and viewing each Rotarian’s work as a chance to contribute to society.
Third — Bringing the ideal of service into daily life — at home, at work, and throughout the community — ensuring that kindness and responsibility are not occasional acts but ongoing commitments.
Fourth — Advancing international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a global fellowship of business and professional leaders united by a shared dedication to service.
These principles are not just statements. They are the living heartbeat of Rotary — the compass that guides every project, every partnership, and every act of generosity.
A Century of Service in Dover, NH
For more than 100 years, the Rotary Club of Dover, NH has been woven into the fabric of our community. What began with modest donations from local businesses to establish scholarships and support city development has grown into a legacy of service that touches lives every single day.
Over the decades, Dover Rotarians have:
• Strengthened the public library
• Encouraged literacy through annual dictionary donations
• Provided snacks for hungry schoolchildren
• Offered warmth to unsheltered neighbors
• Delivered meals to foodinsecure families
• Supplied shoes and boots to children whose families could not afford them
We have also helped shape Dover’s landscape — from building the Rotary Pavilion and cultivating the Rotary Gardens to supporting parks across the city, including the skatepark. More recently, we’ve expanded our impact by offering grants to vocational students, helping them launch meaningful careers with confidence and the tools they need.
We are proud of these contributions, large and small, that have uplifted our community for generations.
Why We’re Asking for Support
About 30 years ago, our club turned to Bingo as its primary fundraising engine. For decades, hardworking Rotarians kept this tradition thriving, allowing us to expand programs and meet rising community needs.
Despite relocations, a pandemic, and challenging years, Bingo remains an important source of funding. But fluctuations in profits — and the uncertainty that comes with relying on a single revenue stream — have prompted us to explore additional ways to sustain our mission.
This is especially important as demand for programs like our Milk & Egg Fund continues to grow year after year.
Our Ask to the Community
We are inviting the people of Dover — those who care deeply about the projects and causes we champion — to consider making a donation to the Rotary Club of Dover, NH. Your support helps us protect and expand the programs that make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Thanks to past donors and the tireless efforts of dedicated Rotarians, our club has already changed countless lives. Just ask:
• A third grader proudly signing their name in a brandnew dictionary
• A graduating senior who can purchase tools for their new trade
• A parent who can give their children a nourishing breakfast of milk and scrambled eggs
These moments matter. And with your help, we can create many more.
Help Us Make a Difference — Donate Today
Your generosity fuels the programs that strengthen Dover and ensures that Service Above Self continues to guide our work for the next hundred years.
