Rotary International

Rotary International is a global network of neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who share a vision of creating lasting change worldwide. Founded in 1905 by Paul P. Harris, it has grown into one of the largest service organizations in the world, boasting over 1.2 million members across more than 45,000 clubs.

Mission and Vision

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. The organization aims to create a world where people unite and take action to build lasting change both locally and globally.

Structure

Rotary International is non-political and non-religious, open to individuals from all backgrounds. It is structured into clubs, districts, and zones. Each club operates autonomously but adheres to the policies of Rotary International. Districts are led by District Governors, and zones are coordinated by regional leaders.

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917, is Rotary's charitable arm. It supports international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs aimed at advancing world understanding and peace. The Foundation is funded entirely by voluntary contributions and has spent over $4 billion on sustainable projects worldwide.

Areas of Focus

Rotary's service projects focus on several key areas:

• Promoting Peace: Efforts include peacebuilding initiatives and educational programs.
• Fighting Disease: Activities include vaccinations and health infrastructure development.
• Providing Clean Water: Projects focus on water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements.
• Saving Mothers and Children: Initiatives support maternal and child health.
• Supporting Education: Programs enhance educational quality and accessibility.
• Growing Local Economies: Projects focus on economic development and poverty alleviation.
• Protecting the Environment: Activities include environmental conservation and sustainability efforts.

Achievements

Rotary is renowned for its work in Polio Eradication. Since launching the PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has been instrumental in immunizing nearly 3 billion children against polio, reducing the incidence of polio by 99.9%. The organization's contributions to the global effort, including matching funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, exceed $2 billion.

Ethical Guidelines

Rotary adheres to the Four-Way Test, an ethical guide used by members to ensure truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit in all interactions. This principle is translated into over 100 languages and is recited at club meetings worldwide.