Find out about Rotary

Joining Rotary opens a world of possibilities for you.

What is Rotary?

Not everyone knows this, but Rotary is the oldest service organisation in the world.

It is an international service organisation with clearly defined aims and programmes, but, there is no such thing as a typical Rotary member, nor a typical club. Each one of our 1,850 Rotary clubs in Britain and Ireland has its own unique personality. Clubs meet on different days of the week, at different times of the day - morning, lunchtime and in the evenings - and are involved in a vast range of different projects and activities.

Members are men and women from all walks of life, with a host of different talents and skills. Some joined Rotary for the social life, some for business networking opportunities, and others for the chance to give something back to their communities.

BUT, Rotary is not just for older people. From a world wide membership of 1,905,307 in 220 countries over 500,000 are aged below 30 and some 343,000 members are aged from 12 to 18 years.

Rotary runs countless humanitarian projects both locally, nationally and internationally, and also partners with many charities worldwide. To find out more, click here

We organise community projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, health, hunger, the environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs determine service projects based on local needs.

Members are enthusiastically committed to the drive to wipe out polio from the world. Since Rotary became involved in polio eradication in 1985, the number of reported polio cases has fallen from 350,000 a year to 1,000; 125 endemic countries have been reduced to just 4 - Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan; and two billion children have been protected from the disease.

To find out more about Rotary read the Related Pages and follow this link to the Rotary in Britain and Ireland site.

Why should I join Rotary?

The enormous sense of achievement you'll experience in helping your local community and other communities around the world will be matched only by the fun you'll have doing it.

As a large and diverse organisation, Rotary provides individuals with the power to help those in need. There are countless opportunities to make a difference to those less fortunate than ourselves.

Friendship

In an increasingly complex world, Rotary maintains a simple philosophy - make friends in your own community and throughout the world.

Giving back to the community

Through Rotary, service to local and overseas communities is well organised and rewarding. If you like helping others, here is your chance to do something worthwhile and make a real difference.

Business development

Networking opportunities are endless. Rotary consists of a cross-section from every business community and its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.

Personal growth and development
Membership of Rotary develops leadership, public speaking, social, business, personal and vocational skills as well as improving cultural awareness.

Continued learning

Clubs organise programmes and weekly meetings to keep members informed about what is going on in the community, the country, and the world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different speakers on a variety of current topics.

Travel opportunities

Every Rotarian is welcome - even encouraged - to attend any of the 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical regions. This bond creates an instant friendship wherever you are in the world. Many a Rotarian in need of a local doctor, lawyer, hotel, dentist, or other expertise while travelling has found assistance through Rotary.

Return to home page

'What We Do' Main Pages: