Organisation:


IYFR is a group of Rotarians dedicated to promoting all aspects of boating as an opportunity for fellowship and service. The Fellowship operates in accordance with Rotary International policy, but is not an agency of or controlled by Rotary International.


It is the oldest and largest of the Rotary Fellowships with its inception in England in1947 and currently comprises 90 Fleets with some 3200 members in 32 countries.


The Fellowship is lead by an Executive comprising the International Commodore, Int. Vice Commodore and Int. Rear Commodore and globally administered by the International Bridge. Globally IYFR is organised into 3 geographic areas, with each area divided into regions containing Fleets.


Area 1 - Europe, Middle East, Africa

Area 2 - The Americas

Area 3 - Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific


More details regarding the organisation are contained in the rules. IYFRRULES2013.pdf


Fellowship and Service: Boating with other Rotarians and friends is a delightful way to share ideas, improve your seamanship, provide support for Rotary service activities, make lasting friendships and practice the ideals of Rotary.

Like Rotary Clubs, members are encouraged to attend events with any Fleet as they travel. Members have access to the Fleets/global membership through the IYFR website.


Membership: The Fellowship has two classifications of membership, Regular and Honorary.

•Regular Members are active Rotarians and Rotoractors along with their spouses or partners.

•Honorary Members may be former Rotarians, their spouses or partners. One cannot join as an Honorary Member, it is a membership bestowed by a Fleet Bridge or the International Bridge.


All that is required to be a member is an active interest in boating (ownership of a boat is not required)

Joining is done through your local Fleet. Rotarians wishing to join the Fellowship and who live in an area where there is no nearby Fleet are still encouraged to join a Fleet. Without a Fleet connection there are limited fellowship opportunities and administration becomes complicated.


 

International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians (IYFR)

When you join IYFR, the benefits are:

  1. 1.Help to advance Rotary's "international understanding, goodwill and world peace."

  2. 2.Meet interesting people, make great contacts and establish lasting friendships.

  3. 3.Receive the "International Roster of Members," which puts you in touch with more than 2600 Rotary Mariners, worldwide. Contact them - enjoy Rotary Mariner Fellowship.

  4. 4.Keep in touch with what is happening in IYFR internationally through the "Rotafloat" newsletter.

  5. 5.Enjoy the IYFR booth and activities at International Rotary Conventions, including the Annual General Meeting and IYFR Post Convention Cruise.

  6. 6.Enjoy boating and social events (on land or water) with other IYFR members locally, regionally and internationally.

  7. 7.IYFR regalia available for purchase identifies you as a Rotary Mariner at home or abroad.

  8. 8.Fleet Events: Each Fleet in IYFR plans and hosts its own activities and events for Fleet members and their partners and guests. Exchange visits by members of other IYFR Fleets and Independent Members are actively encouraged. Typical events include "raft-ups" on the water, cruises, regattas, service activities and a wide variety of social events on shore. The theme of all activities is fellowship.

  9. 9.Dues for Independent Members not associated with a fleet are USD 30 per year. Annual dues for fleet members are USD 10 per member, payable through the fleet. Most Fleets also charge an additional membership fee to cover their own administration costs.

Objects of the Fellowship:

Rotary Mariners combine an acceptance of the principles of Rotary with a love of boats and the sea, rivers and inland waters, and use the shared interest of yachting and seamanship as an opportunity to encourage and foster the objectives of Rotary. Mariner objectives are:

  1. 1.To advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideals of service.

  2. 2.To promote Rotary fellowship through cruising, yachting, racing, sailing, kayaking and other activities involving boats and boating.

  3. 3.To promote high standards of seamanship and abide by recognized yachting customs and etiquette on the water.

  4. 4.To support Rotary service projects and opportunities, on and off the water.