What is Rotary
ROTARY is 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. Specifically a Rotary club is composed of men and women in a community who have accepted the "Ideal of Service" as a basis for attaining fulfillment in their personal, professional and community lives.
ROTARY is the world's first service club. The first Rotary club was founded in Chicago, Illinois, on February 23, 1905. Today, Rotary has more than 1.2 million service-minded men and women belonging to about 30,000 Rotary clubs in almost 200 countries around the world. Functionally, Rotary is an association of local clubs gathered into a larger organization called Rotary International. The individual Rotarian is a member of the local club; all clubs are members of Rotary International.
ROTARIANS 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. Each club is operated through four Avenues of Service: Club Service, World Community Service, Community Service, and Vocational Service.
ROTARIANS 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.
Rotary Motto - Service Above Self
Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" is the thread that runs throughout the Rotary world and unites like-minded people in thought and action.
Object of Rotary
The program of Rotary is best expressed in its Object:
- 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 by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
- The application of the Ideal of Service to his personal, business, and community life;
- The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the Ideal of Service.
Four Way Test
Rotarians pledge to follow the Four Way Test in all aspects their lives. The Four Way Test asks:
Of 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?