What is "Rotary"?

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The beginning of the world's largest "networking movement" was the Rotary Club of Chicago, formed on 23 February 1905 by lawyer Paul Harris and three friends - a merchant, a coal dealer, and a mining engineer. The name "Rotary" is derived from the early practice of rotating meetings around member's offices. Rotary has preserved its initial basis -  membership deliberately represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders. .

Rotary Emblems 1906-, 1910-, 1913-, 1926-

Rotary's Mission

Networking is fine, but if it's to last 100 years it needs a larger objective. The larger objective that has sustained Rotary is service to its community - in the workplace, in the local community, and internationally. Rotary's efforts help build goodwill and international peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards.

Membership

Rotarians are professional men and women who meet weekly to actively contribute to  the quality of life in their own and other communities.

• There are almost 1.2 million Rotarians working in 29,968 Rotary clubs in 163 countries.

• First admitted in 1987, women are the fastest-growing segment of Rotary's membership. There are nearly 2,000 women club presidents and women are rapidly assuming regional leadership roles.

Rotary Today

• Rotarians initiate community projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, AIDS, hunger, the environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine service projects based on local needs.

• Rotarians work with and for youth to address challenges facing young people today. Through participation in Rotary-sponsored Interact clubs (for secondary school students), Rotaract clubs (for young adults), and Rotary Youth Leadership awards, young people worldwide learn leadership skills and the importance of community.

• The Rotary Youth Exchange programme gives high school students the opportunity to broaden their world view and build international friendships.

• In the world's cities, where urban violence has become rampant, Rotary has the community-based network to help prevent unrest. Rotary-sponsored violence prevention projects address the root causes of violence such as drug abuse, poverty, lack of role models, and gangs.

• The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International provides an opportunitv for Rotarians to work for international understanding. Through the Foundation, Rotarians sponsor educational and humanitarian programs, such as:

  • PolioPlus is Rotary's commitment to eradicating polio by the year 2005. Through the efforts of Rotary and its partners in the fight against polio, more than one billion children worldwide have been immunized since 1985. In 1996,154 nations reported no cases of polio, up from 85 when PolioPlus began. By the year 2005 Rotarian contributions will reach a half billion US dollars to eradicate the crippling disease. Of equal significance is the huge volunteer army mobilized by Rotary for social mobilization, vaccine transport and immunization activities.

  • Rotary's international network helps link people in need with Rotarians in other countries that can provide resources. The Foundation's humanitarian programs provide health care and supplies, clean water, food, job training, and education - particularly in the developing world.

  • The Rotary Foundation's educational programs include Ambassadorial Scholarships, the world's largest privately-funded source of international scholarships. Nearly 1,300 scholarships are awarded annually for study in another land. Grants are also awarded for university teachers to serve in developing countries and for exchanges of professionals.

This website is
sponsored by

RYE Programme

The 1,176,169 Rotarians in 29,968 Rotary clubs across 163 countries are guided by Rotary International in Evanstown, Illinois USA. The mission of Rotary International is to support its member clubs in fulfilling the Object of Rotary by:

• Fostering unity among member clubs;
• Strengthening and expanding Rotary around the world;
• Communicating worldwide the work of Rotary; and
• Providing a system of international administration.

The President of Rotary International for 2001/2002 is Richard King,  shown above.

Joining Rotary

Is Rotary for you?  If opportunities to increase contacts in your community, for greater social interaction, for self benefit and to simply "do some good for others" appeal to you, then Rotary is for you!

www.rotary.org/membership/development/prospective/index.html provides general information for prospective members.

If you have comments or if there is additional material you would like to see added to this website, please email the editor.

The Rotary name and logo are the exclusive property of Rotary International.  Thanks to Tord Elfwendahl of the Stockholm Strand Rotaryklub for his  Rotary graphic images.

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