Inner Wheel is an international women’s organization to create friendship, service and understanding. It has clubs in over 100 countries with over 100,000 members. In the United States there are 44 Inner Wheel clubs within 5 Inner Wheel districts.
The East Sacramento Inner Wheel Club
The East Sacramento Inner Wheel Club is 1 club of 9 within Inner Wheel District 519. Our community service club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. We meet once a month from September until August (there’s no meeting in July). Attendance is encouraged but is not required at meetings. Each club and district has an ISO (International Service Organizer) who corresponds with other clubs and districts around the world, often sharing newsletters and pictures. When traveling, many international Inner Wheel members visit clubs near their vacation destination, sharing information about their own clubs.
The Story of Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel is the story of a women’s movement, which began in the simplest possible way, through the help given by wives to husbands in their efforts towards the public good.During the war years in England, the Rotary men were overburdened with service needs so they asked the wives to help. Women joined together, formed a bond and found they enjoyed meeting other wives of Rotarians – women they probably would never have known. When the pressure of war times was over, they realized they did not want to disband—so the first idea of forming a club began.On January 12, 1924, Mrs. Oliver Golding, became the first President of an Inner Wheel Club in Manchester, England. The idea of Inner Wheel spread quickly and many clubs were soon formed. The Manchester Club became the model upon which the movement is based. Due to the leadership, inspiration and vision of Mrs. Golding and a Mrs. Nixon the clubs were grouped into districts. Together the districts formed the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland.International Inner Wheel began in July 1967.Today, the structure of Inner Wheel is:
- International Inner Wheel
- Associations & Councils (Eligible Countries)
- Districts (4 clubs form a District)
- Non Districted Clubs
- Clubs (10 members for a Club)
One hundred thousand members make up Inner Wheel Clubs today in over 100 countries. Inner Wheel has become one of the largest women’s organizations in the world.The Objectives of Inner Wheel are:
- To Promote True Friendship
- To Promote the Ideals of Personal Service
- To Foster International Understanding
Founded in 1924, Inner Wheel is one of the largest women’s voluntary service organizations operating throughout the world.
Any woman who shares the three central objectives of International Inner Wheel can join the organization. Members achieve these aims through club events, which combine personal service, fund-raising, fellowship and fun, united by friendship and a common aim to serve the local community.
The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in the United States was established in 1987. Clubs and their individual members may contribute to the Inner Wheel Foundation, which provides upper myoelectric limbs to children.
Inner Wheel Membership in the United States
The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in the United States was established in 1987 and is known as Inner Wheel U.S.A. Presently there are 44 clubs in the United States. Lead by a National Governing Body, Inner Wheel clubs focus on friendship, personal service and international understanding. Clubs choose their own charities with an emphasis on women and children. On a National level, members and clubs donate to the IWUSA Foundation, which provides myoelectric limbs for children in the United States.
Inner Wheel clubs support the needs of their communities, focusing on women and children, and often partner with Rotary clubs on various projects or fundraisers.
Joining Inner Wheel
Inner Wheel membership is open to all women who are committed to making a difference in their communities, this country and the world while embracing the objectives of Inner Wheel.
Established clubs can grow their membership by inviting relatives of Rotarians/former Rotarians or Inner Wheel members, or women with no connection to Inner Wheel or Rotary. Upon recommendation of a club member, an individual shall become an active member by a simple majority of existing club members at a membership meeting provided all dues and fees are paid.
As soon as those new members join, they become full active members and can vote and hold office and participate in all aspects of the club. A welcoming committee will explain the objectives of Inner Wheel and how it works.
Benefits of Membership
There are lots of reasons why women from across the globe choose to become part of International Inner Wheel.When you join Inner Wheel, you’ll become part of a network of friendships embracing 104 countries. You’ll develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills and will become part of a community based on friendship, support and love.Existing members say they have received many benefits from their membership. A few are:
“We make a difference to people’s lives and share our talents.”
“We learn from each other, interacting with people from around the globe and we receive local and international recognition.”
“Inner Wheel gives you guidance and care and the opportunity to work at grassroots levels.”
When new members join us, they never look back!