Rotary International is a service club organization founded in 1905 with over 32,000 clubs in 200+ countries. Members are business and professional leaders who serve their communities and uphold the “Service Above Self” motto. Membership is open to all and includes a commitment to ethical behavior. Rotary clubs meet weekly and participate in local and global service projects, including efforts to end polio, improve literacy, protect the environment, and reduce world hunger.
Rotary clubs are part of Rotary International, a service club organization founded in 1905 in Chicago by a lawyer, Paul P. Harris. In its current form, there are more than 32,000 Rotary clubs, in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self,” which refers to service to the community, the workplace, and the world. Rotary clubs are made up of business and professional leaders who serve the community in which the club is located.
Individuals are welcome to become members of Rotary, or Rotarians, as members are called. The criterion for Rotary club membership includes a reputation for personal good character, as well as a business, professional, or community reputation. Rotary club applicants must also fit into one of three categories. These categories include those who have participated in The Rotary Foundation, those who serve or have served as community leaders, and those who hold or have held an executive position in any worthy and recognized business or profession.
Rotary club membership is open to people of all cultures, creeds, and races. The organization is not politically or religiously oriented. Until 1989, membership was entirely male. As of 2007, there are more than 145,000 female members.
Each Rotary club has four responsibilities to the international group. One is to maintain or increase local group membership. The second responsibility is to participate in service projects that serve the local community as well as those that serve the global community. Rotary clubs also support The Rotary Foundation financially and through member participation. The ultimate responsibility is to develop leaders who serve the organization beyond the club level.
Individual Rotary clubs meet once a week. Member responsibilities include regular attendance, service participation, and promotion of new members. Rotary club members enjoy opportunities for networking, leadership, and service. One of Rotary International’s long-term interests includes efforts to end polio around the world. Rotary’s concerns today include the well-being of children, improving illiteracy, protecting the environment, and reducing world hunger.
Ethics play an important role in club founding. Every Rotary member is asked to apply a “Four Ways Test” to their personal and business interactions. The four-question test asks a Rotarian to be truthful, fair, goodwill-building, and beneficial to all concerned.
The name Rotary comes from the original practice of rotating the meeting place between member offices. During World War II, some Rotary clubs were forced to disband, while others provided various forms of emergency relief to war victims. During this time, Rotary supported a conference to promote cultural exchange and international education. Chapters of the club were founded or restarted in Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall and other related political events.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
