Rotary International

Rotary International is a global service organization founded on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris. It is among the largest service clubs worldwide, with over 1.4 million members and more than 46,000 clubs globally[4].

Mission and Vision

The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. This is achieved through a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders[2][4]. Rotary’s vision is to create lasting change by uniting people across the globe and within local communities[2].

Structure

Rotary International is organized into a hierarchical structure consisting of clubs, districts, and international zones. Clubs are the basic units, which enjoy considerable autonomy but operate within Rotary International's policies. Each club is led by a president and board of directors. Districts are formed by groups of clubs, led by a district governor, and multiple districts form a zone[4][5].

Activities and Areas of Focus

Rotary focuses on several key areas:

• Promoting Peace: Encouraging conflict resolution and diplomacy.
• Fighting Diseases: Supporting healthcare initiatives and disease prevention.
• Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene: Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
• Saving Mothers and Children: Improving maternal and child health.
• Supporting Education: Enhancing educational opportunities.
• Growing Local Economies: Developing sustainable economic systems.
• Protecting the Environment: Promoting environmental sustainability[2][5].

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation, Rotary’s charitable arm, was established in 1917 by Arch Klumph. It transforms donations into service projects globally, focusing on improving health, education, the environment, and alleviating poverty. Since its inception, The Rotary Foundation has spent over $4 billion on life-changing projects[1][3]. Notable initiatives include the PolioPlus program, which has significantly reduced polio cases worldwide[1].

Diversity and Inclusion

Rotary values diversity and promotes inclusion across all cultures, ages, genders, and identities. The organization aims to foster a global community where people unite to create lasting change[2].