Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional
leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical
standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in
the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than
31,000 Rotary clubs located in 166 countries.
Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community's
business and professional men and women. The world's Rotary clubs
meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all
cultures, races, and creeds.
The main objective of Rotary is service - 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. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all
Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global
eradication of polio. In the 1980s, Rotarians raised US$240 million
to immunize the children of the world; by 2005, Rotary's centenary
year and the target date for the certification of a polio-free
world, the PolioPlus program will have contributed US$500 million to
this cause.
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of
service as a basis of worthy enterprise and in particular, to
encourage and foster:
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for
service.
SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the
recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the
dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve
society.
THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's
personal, business and communty life.
FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding,
goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and
professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do.
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendship?
- Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
Four Avenues of Service
Based on the Object of Rotary, the Four Avenues of Service are Rotary's philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based:
- Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.
- Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
- Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
- International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.