Rotary International

Introduction

Rotary International is one of the largest service organizations in the world, founded on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris. It is a non-political and non-religious organization dedicated to advancing world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Mission and Activities

The mission of Rotary International is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace"[2]. Rotary focuses on seven main areas:

• Promoting Peace: Encouraging peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution.
• Improving Health: Disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health.
• Water and Sanitation: Providing access to clean water and improving sanitation facilities.
• Education: Enhancing educational opportunities and literacy.
• Economic Development: Supporting sustainable economic growth.
• Environment: Protecting and preserving the environment.

Structure

Rotary International operates through more than 46,000 clubs worldwide, grouped into 529 districts and further into 34 zones[2]. Each club is chartered by Rotary International and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of the standard constitution and bylaws.

Membership and Volunteers

Rotary International has over 1.4 million members, known as Rotarians, and over 1.9 million volunteers, including members of Interact and Rotaract clubs[2]. Membership is by application or invitation.

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917, supports Rotary International's humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It operates solely on voluntary contributions and has one of the largest international fellowship programs in the world[3]. The Foundation focuses on projects that improve health, provide quality education, improve the environment, and alleviate poverty[3][4].

Impact

Rotary members contribute significantly to community needs globally, with millions of volunteer hours and substantial funding for sustainable projects annually[5]. Their projects have transformed lives by providing clean water, supporting education, and supporting disaster recovery efforts[1][3].

However, the specific details for the organization associated with EIN: 596209572 could not be found, as this EIN relates to a specific local chapter rather than the broader Rotary International organization. For detailed information about local chapters, such as those with their own websites (e.g., seminolerotary.org), specific local activities and initiatives might vary based on community needs.