Rotary International

Rotary International is a prominent global service organization with a significant presence in the United States. Established on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris, it operates as a non-political and non-religious entity, focusing on community service and international cooperation.

Mission and Vision

The mission of Rotary International is to "provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through [the] fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders." Its vision encompasses working together to create lasting change across the globe, in communities, and among individuals[1][4].

Membership and Structure

Rotary International has a substantial membership base of approximately 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide, with over 46,000 member clubs[4]. Its volunteers include Rotarians, Interactors, and Rotaractors, totaling nearly 1.9 million volunteers when all clubs within the Rotary family are considered[4].

Focus Areas

Rotary International concentrates on several key areas:

• Promoting Peace: Encouraging international understanding and peaceful relations.
• Fighting Disease: Improving health by preventing and treating diseases.
• Providing Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
• Saving Mothers and Children: Enhancing maternal and child health.
• Supporting Education: Providing educational opportunities to communities around the world.
• Growing Local Economies: Contributing to economic development.
• Protecting the Environment: Supporting environmental sustainability initiatives[1][4].

The Rotary Foundation

A crucial component of Rotary International is The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917. The Foundation supports Rotarians in their charitable projects by providing grants to improve health, support education, and alleviate poverty[5]. Since its inception, it has spent over $4 billion on sustainable projects worldwide[5].

Nonprofit Status

Rotary International operates as a nonprofit organization in the United States, with a focus on service and philanthropy.

[1] https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary [2] https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation [3] https://www.rotary.org [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_International [5] https://rotarydistrict7030.org/stories/an-introduction-to-overview-of-the-rotary-foundation