ABOUT ROTARY

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ABOUT ROTARY INTERNATIONAL

Rotary International (RI) is the world’s oldest service club organization started by the formation of the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. RI is composed of districts and local clubs whose members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. Rotarians unite worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace. In more than 200 countries and territories, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to over 32,000 Rotary clubs.

Clubs. Rotary is essentially a grassroots organization, with most of its service efforts being carried out at the club level. The district and international structure is designed to support the clubs and help them provide more service in their communities and abroad. Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy with the framework of RI constitution and bylaws. Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's business and professional men and women. Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

Motto. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self, and service is the main objective of each club — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth; educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals; and vocational and career development.

Signature RI Initiative. Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio, a project begun in the mid 1980s. Through its PolioPlus program Rotary has contributed more than US$630 million to this cause. In addition, Rotary has provided an army of volunteers to promote and assist at national immunization days in polio-endemic countries around the world.

The Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation of RI is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes world understanding through international humanitarian service programs and educational and cultural exchanges. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and others who share its vision of a better world. Since 1947, the Foundation has awarded well over US$1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational grants, which are initiated and administered by local Rotary clubs and districts.

More information. Further information is available about Rotary International www.rotary.org and District 6580 www.rotary6580.org.