What Is 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:
The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
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;
The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The first Rotary club in the world was organized in Chicago, Illinois, USA on 23 of February 1905, by Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in a spirit of Friendship and Understanding a group of men., each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. That basis of membership - one man from each business and profession in the community - still exists in Rotary as the classification system. The members of the new club met in rotation at various places of business of the members, and Harris suggested the name “Rotary”
Since 1905, the ideas of Paul Harris and his friends have become ideals that have been accepted by men and women of practically all nationalities and of many political and religious beliefs. Today, there are Rotary clubs in Austria and American Samoa in Brazil and Brunei, in India and Italy, in Scotland and South Africa - in some 168 countries, including a return to many of the iron-curtain countries including Russia. The universal acceptance of Rotary principles has been so great that there are now over 27,500 Rotary clubs that have a membership of over 1.2 million.
Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal, the “Ideal of Service”, which is thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others.
an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
the world’s first service club. The first Rotary club was founded in Chicago, Illinois, USA on 23 February 1905.
some 1.2 million service-minded men and women belonging to more than 28,000 Rotary clubs in virtually every nation in the world.
The Rotary Foundation, which each year provides some US$90 million for international scholarships, cultural exchanges, and humanitarian projects large and small that improve the quality of life for millions of people. Rotary is widely regarded as the world’s largest private provider of international educational scholarships.
meet weekly for fellowship and interesting and informative programs dealing with topics of local and global importance. Membership reflects a wide cross-section of community representation.
plan and carry out a remarkable variety of humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs that touch people’s lives in their local communities and our world community.
A founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s circle of business and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals — people who make decisions and influence policy.
Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.
With more than 31,000 Rotary clubs in over 160 countries, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.
Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of membership today. Club members enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded professionals, and club projects offer additional opportunities to develop enduring friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city in the world.
Weekly Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the community, nation, and world and motivated to make a difference. Family Foundations
Rotary sponsors some of the world’s largest youth exchange, educational exchange, and scholarship programs. Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities and mentoring for young leaders and involve family members in a wide range of social and service activities.
Social activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose and have fun. Every Rotary club and district hosts parties and activities that offer diversions from today’s demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and service.
Encouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and professional lives, Rotarians abide by:
Rotary is an organization of successful professionals. Team building, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization, and communication are just a sampling of the leadership skills that club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotary leader provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire, and guide others.
Rotary’s classification system ensures that a club’s membership represents a variety of the community’s professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry, the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion. Rotary clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
Bil-David Trodlier
