About Rotary International
Rotary is the largest humanitarian service network in the world, with 1.2 million members, and 35,000 clubs in over 200 countries. Each week, business, community, and professional leaders meet in clubs all over the world to organize service projects, fellowship, and connect.
Rotary's vision is: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. And Rotary's mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. In addition to the foregoing, Rotary is guided by the following principles and codes:
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:
- 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.
Avenues of Service
For years, Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self has been channeled through the five Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of club activity:
- Club Service focuses on making clubs strong. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan;
- Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society;
- Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest;
- International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more; and
- Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange.
The Four-Way Test
The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:
Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotary Core Values
- Service: Service is one of the main elements of our mission and the initiatives we pursue within each of our individual clubs fuels this culture. There is no greater satisfaction than that which comes from serving others;
- Fellowship: We believe that grouped efforts combine to benefit all of humanity. Fellowship generates greater tolerance of others and transcends all boundaries, including those of race, gender, and nationality;
- Diversity: Through the diversity of our members, our organization is able to broaden the scope of the activities, programs, and service we can provide. This includes diversity in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, as well as diversity in occupation , personal, and professional background;
- Integrity: Accountability, honesty, and ethics are the backbone of our organization and something we expect from each of our leaders and members; and
- Leadership: We believe in the development and nurturing of current and future leaders in our community.