What is Rotary?

Rotary International

What is Rotary?

Rotary International, as it is known, is a world wide organisation with over 1 million members and 30,000 separate clubs. It is a network of local groups with memberships from all walks of life including business, professional and community volunteers who wish to improve life for others. These groups  welcome male and female members as Rotarians, who gather weekly at breakfast, lunch or evening meetings to work together to uphold the principle "Service above Self". Membership strives to reflect "Diversity" in respect of gender, age, ethnicity and employment and is encouraged to attend club meetings other than their own; nationally and internationally. 

The organisation operates at grassroots level through local Rotary groups across the and the world. Each group elects its own officials and has considerable autonomy; delivering service within the bounds of Rotary International"s constitution and bylaws. 

How does this work? There are various ways in which Rotarians deliver service: 

Club Service; by having fun, building lasting friendships and involvement in ensuring their local club is well run. 

Vocational Service; volunteering professional skills to serve others and promoting integrity in everything they do. 

Community Service; addressing local needs and working with the community to bring lasting improvements. 

International Service; helping meet humanitarian needs around the world whilst helping promote world understanding and peace. 

New Generations Service; working with young people to help them become the next generation of leaders, visionaries and peacemakers. 

The structure of Rotary starts with individual clubs which are grouped into districts led by district governors. These districts are formed within a Rotary Zone which combine to form Rotary International with an annually elected  president and a board of 19 directors elected bi annually. Rotary International   Headquarters are located in . 

Rotary International focuses its activity in six priority areas: 

1. Peace and prevention/resolution of conflict 

2. Disease prevention and treatment 

3. Water and sanitation 

4. Maternal and child health 

5. Basic education and literacy 

6. Economic and community development

Charitable work is undertaken through Rotary International's own Charity called Rotary Foundation. The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. It has become one of the foremost non-governmental foundations with the educational support programme being the largest private scholarship endowment in the world.

For more information about Rotary Foundation please click below: 

www.ribi.org