Our Club


Oceanside Rotary Club of Nanaimo, Chartered in 1998 and consisting of 29 members is proud of their accomplishments in such a short period. We hold four main fundraising events each year which are:

  1. Dinner / Dance / Live and Silent Auction – Fashioned after “James Bond”, this event begins 6 to 7 months prior with the selection of a James Bond movie which dictates the theme of the event, decorations, posters, designer martini’s and ticket design. Hosting 400 of Nanaimo’s more affluent community members, with the help of approximately 50 or so volunteers, an evening of extravagance with a floor show, live entertainment, a Live and Silent Auction, casino, full gourmet buffet dinner with a midnight buffet as well. This past years event saw $50,000 in donated prizes obtained by our 30 members for the auction and the overall event grossed over $110,000.
  2. Oceanside Rotary Golf Tournament - Setting ourselves apart from the norm, Oceanside’s Golf Tournament is usually the last of the season with numerous prizes, excellent golfers and a delicious meal to end a full day of fun on the course. This event usually grosses between $8,000 and $10,000 per year
  3. Departure Bay Dip – Being in an area boasting the mildest climate and of course, living on and Island in the Pacific allows us to do many outdoor activities over a longer period of time. With this in mind, our club obtains sponsorships from the community and challenges members and community celebrates such as our local government officials to take a swim in the cool waters of Departure Bay, mid February with outside temperatures usually being 2 to 3 degrees, colder if the wind is blowing. This event garners great press and Rotary awareness and is followed by gallons of hot chocolate and hotdogs to fend off frostbite!
  4. Christmas Toy Drive – Our most heartfelt and self satisfying event occurs in late November or early December where members of our club place notices on neighborhood doors advising we will be collecting toys and donations on a specific day for families less fortunate. Over two evenings, through rain, snow, hail and blizzards, our club members, their families and volunteers will go door to door, following Santa’s float with reindeer and elves, Christmas lights and music collecting food and cash donations along with thousands of toys. The evening ends at a local park with a bonfire, hot chocolate and hotdogs and the company of neighbors and friends who wish to join us in thanks and gratitude.