June 2025 is Rotary Fellowship Month

As we recognize Rotary Fellowships Month this June, the Chiang Mai International Rotary Club (CMIRC) continues to demonstrate what’s possible when people from diverse backgrounds come together in service. Chartered in 2014, CMIRC remains the only English-speaking Rotary club in Northern Thailand. From its beginning, the club has grown into a dynamic and inclusive community, committed to advancing child safety, health, and education across the region.

What started as a simple idea, to hold Rotary meetings in English, has evolved into something far more impactful. CMIRC has become a hub of international cooperation and community-driven action, showing that meaningful change often begins with shared values and a willingness to serve.

Rotary Fellowships Month reminds us that the heart of Rotary lies not only in global projects or formal partnerships but also in everyday acts of connection. Through the work of The CMIRC Foundation and ongoing local initiatives, members focus on improving the lives of vulnerable children and families. The club also reflects Rotary’s core values of inclusivity, welcoming members of all nationalities, backgrounds, and beliefs.

It’s a subtle irony that a club founded around one shared language—English—has grown fluent in something deeper: the language of compassion and service. And while members may enjoy debating which restaurant serves the best Khao Soi in Chiang Mai, they speak with one voice when it comes to the importance of building stronger, safer, and healthier communities.

As one club bulletin wisely noted, perseverance means “sticking with things” and “being hardworking and finishing what is started, despite barriers and obstacles.” That spirit continues to define CMIRC’s work throughout the year.

Rotary Fellowships Month is a time to reflect not only on our connections across borders but also on the strength of local partnerships. CMIRC is a clear example of how international understanding grows, one conversation, one project, and one act of service at a time.