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WHY CHOOSE ROTARY?

For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world.

Grassroots at the core, Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope.
It started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris.
The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities.

350,000
U.S. ROTARIANS
7,700
Clubs
1905
Founded
103,000
Median Income
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THE FOUR-WAY TEST

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:

Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

AVENUES OF SERVICE

Rotarians channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of our club’s activities.

  • 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 avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad and more.
  • 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.

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 community life;
  • FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peach through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Doing Good: Supporting Education

Doing Good: Promoting Peace

Doing Good: Providing Clean Water

Doing Good: Saving Mothers and Children