RotARy BASICS www.rotary.org/rotarybasics
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Rotary BASICS www.rotary.org/rotarybasics
R
otary International, the “Thanks to Rotary, my and president-elect, meets quarterly
world’s first service club orga- to establish policies. Traditionally,
nization, is made up of 33,000 efforts to make the the RI president, who is elected an-
clubs in more than 200 countries world a better place nually, develops a theme and service
and geographical areas. Its members emphases for the year.
are multiplied. I’m no
form a global network of business,
longer alone.” The Secretariat
professional, and community leaders
Rotary International is headquar-
who volunteer their time and talents — Fernando Aguirre tered in the Chicago suburb of
to serve their communities and
the world.
Palacios, Ecuador Evanston, Illinois, USA, with seven
international offices in Argentina,
Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, level. The district and international Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea,
exemplifies the humanitarian spirit structure is designed to support the and Switzerland. The office for RI
of the organization’s more than 1.2 clubs and help them provide more in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI),
million members. service in their local communities located in England, serves clubs and
Strong fellowship among Rotar- and abroad. districts in that region. The Secre-
ians and meaningful community and
tariat’s chief operating officer is the
international service projects charac- Clubs
Rotarians are members of Rotary RI general secretary, who heads a
terize Rotary worldwide.
clubs, which belong to the global 740-member staff working to serve
Rotary enjoys a rich and some-
association Rotary International (RI). Rotarians worldwide.
times complex tradition and or-
ganizational structure, with many Each club elects its own officers and
programs that can be confusing to enjoys considerable autonomy within Benefits and
new and even not-so-new members. the framework of Rotary’s constitu- Responsibilities of
The following pages offer a basic tion and bylaws.
Club Membership
Rotary education — the fundamen-
tal knowledge that will make every
Districts The club is the cornerstone of Rotary,
Clubs are grouped into 530 RI dis- where the most meaningful work is
member better informed about
tricts, each led by a district governor, carried out. All effective Rotary clubs
Rotary and proud to be a Rotarian.
who is an officer of RI. The district are responsible for four key elements:
administration, including assistant sustaining or increasing their mem-
The Organization governors and various committees, bership base, participating in service
of Rotary guides and supports the clubs. projects that benefit their own com-
munity and those in other countries,
Rotary is essentially a grassroots RI Board
supporting The Rotary Foundation
organization, with most of its service The 19-member RI Board of Direc-
of RI financially and through pro-
efforts being carried out at the club tors, which includes the RI president
gram participation, and developing
leaders capable of serving in Rotary
beyond the club level.
What Rotarians get out of Rotary
depends largely on what they put
into it. Many membership require-
ments are designed to help members
become and remain active partici-
pants in their clubs, and enjoy their
Rotary experience.
Service
All Rotary clubs share a key mission:
to serve their community and those
in need throughout the world. By
participating in club service projects,
members learn about their club’s in-
volvement in local and international
projects and can volunteer their
time and talents where they are
most needed.
Membership recruitment
and retention
To keep clubs strong, every Rotar-
ian must share the responsibility of
bringing new people into Rotary.
Even new members can bring guests
to meetings or invite them to partici-
pate in a service project. The value of
Rotary speaks for itself, and the best
way to engage the interest of potential
members is by letting them experi-
ence fellowship and service firsthand.
Keeping members interested in
Rotary is another responsibility.
Good club fellowship, early involve-
ment in service projects, and involve- Rotarians can also make up meet- of the worthiness of all useful
ment in club operations are some ings by participating in a club service occupations; and the dignifying of
of the best ways to sustain the club’s project or by attending a club board each Rotarian’s occupation as an
membership. meeting, a Rotaract or Interact club opportunity to serve society;
The ideal composition of a Rotary meeting, or an online meeting at one
club reflects the community’s demo- of several Rotary e-clubs. THIRD
graphics, including professions, gen- The application of the ideal of
der, age, and ethnicity. Such diversity service in each Rotarian’s personal,
enriches every aspect of the club’s
Rotary’s Guiding business, and community life;
fellowship and service. Principles
Throughout Rotary’s history, several FOURTH
Attendance basic principles have been developed The advancement of international
Attending club meetings allows to guide Rotarians in achieving the understanding, goodwill, and peace
members to enjoy their club’s fellow- ideal of service and high ethical
ship, enrich their professional and standards.
personal knowledge, and meet other The Four-Way Test
business leaders in their community. Object of Rotary Followed by Rotarians
Club meeting times vary to accom- First formulated in 1910 and adapted worldwide in their business
modate members’ family and profes- through the years as Rotary’s mis- and professional lives, The
sional commitments. Some clubs sion expanded, the Object of Rotary
Four-Way Test was created
meet at lunchtime, while others meet by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor
provides a succinct definition of the in 1932. It has since been
in the early morning, after work, or organization’s purpose as well as the
in the evening. translated into more than 100
club member’s responsibilities. languages and is used by
Rotary policy requires members
organizations and individuals
to attend at least 50 percent of club The Object of Rotary is to encour-
throughout the world.
meetings in each half of the year. If age and foster the ideal of service as
members miss their own club’s meet- a basis of worthy enterprise and, in Of the things we think,
say or do
ing, they’re encouraged to expand particular, to encourage and foster:
their Rotary horizons by attending 1) Is it the TRUTH?
make-up meetings at any Rotary club FIRST 2) Is it FAIR to all concerned?
in the world — a practice that guar- The development of acquaintance
as an opportunity for service; 3) Will it build GOODWILL and
antees Rotarians a warm welcome
BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
in communities around the globe.
Find meeting places and times in the SECOND 4) W
ill it be BENEFICIAL to all
Official Directory or through the Club High ethical standards in business concerned?
Locator at www.rotary.org. and professions; the recognition
Did you know?
Rotary Foundation
Ambassadorial
Scholarships is the world’s
largest, privately funded
scholarship program.
The Rotary Foundation
has contributed more than
US$2.3 billion in program
awards and operations
since 1947.
Rotarians have established
a host of organizations
dedicated to various
humanitarian causes,
through a world fellowship of undertakes to improve life in its
including ShelterBox,
HungerPlus, and Gift business and professional persons community.
of Life. united in the ideal of service.
I nternational Service
Providing vitamin A Classification principle encompasses actions taken to
supplements during polio By assigning each member a classifi- expand Rotary’s humanitarian
National Immunization cation based on his or her business or reach around the globe and to
Days has averted an profession, this system ensures that promote world understanding
estimated 1.5 million the club’s membership reflects the and peace.
childhood deaths since business and professional composi-
1998 — testimony to the N
ew Generations Service
tion of its community. The number
“plus” in PolioPlus. recognizes the positive change
of members holding a particular
implemented by youth and
RI representatives classification is limited according
young adults through leadership
work with many major to the size of the club. The goal is
development activities,
international organizations, professional diversity, which enlivens
service projects, and exchange
including the UN and the club’s social atmosphere and pro-
programs.
several of its agencies, vides a rich resource of occupational
the Organization of expertise to carry out service projects
American States, the and provide club leadership. RI Programs
Council of Europe, RI’s programs and service opportuni-
and the African Union. Avenues of Service
ties are designed to help Rotarians
Based on the Object of Rotary, the
meet needs in their own communi-
Avenues of Service are Rotary’s
ties and reach out to assist people in
philosophical cornerstone and the
need worldwide.
foundation on which club activity
is based: Interact
“Rotary molded Rotary clubs organize and sponsor
C
lub Service focuses on
this service organization for youth
me from a shy strengthening fellowship
ages 12-18; more than 12,300 clubs in
and ensuring the effective
homemaker to a functioning of the club.
133 countries and geographical areas.
district governor.” Vocational Service encourages Rotaract
Rotarians to serve others Rotary clubs organize and sponsor
— Victoria Garcia,
through their vocations and to this leadership, professional develop-
Philippines ment, and service organization for
practice high ethical standards.
young adults ages 18-30; more than
C
ommunity Service covers the 8,000 clubs in 167 countries and
projects and activities the club geographical areas.
Rotary Community Corps (RCC) Every dollar contributed to the
Rotary clubs organize and sponsor Foundation funds the humanitarian,
these groups of non-Rotarians who educational, and cultural programs
work to improve their communities; and program operations. Clubs and
more than 6,800 RCCs in 78 coun- districts apply for and receive Foun-
tries and geographical areas. dation grants to carry out many
worthy projects worldwide. The
Rotary Fellowships and Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative,
Rotarian Action Groups designed to encourage worldwide
Rotary Fellowships (groups geared to annual per capita giving of $100 or
vocational and recreational inter- more, supports vital Foundation
ests) and Rotarian Action Groups programs.
(focused on humanitarian service
activities) compose Global Network- Educational Programs
ing Groups, which are open to all These programs promote interna-
Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians, and tional understanding by bringing
Rotaractors; about 70 groups. together people from different coun-
Rotary Friendship Exchange tries and cultures.
Rotarian teams or individuals, who Ambassadorial Scholarships, an
may be accompanied by their fami- The Rotary
international program for university-
lies, make reciprocal visits to other Foundation level studies, sends about 500 stu-
countries, staying in each other’s The Rotary Foundation of RI is a dents each year to serve as ambassa-
homes and learning about different not-for-profit corporation whose dors of goodwill while abroad.
cultures firsthand. mission is to enable Rotarians to
advance world understanding, good- Rotary Peace Fellowships are
Rotary Volunteers awarded to individuals for study in
will, and peace through the improve-
Rotarians and other skilled profes- master’s degree and professional cer-
ment of health, the support of educa-
sionals are provided opportunities to tificate programs at one of the six Ro-
tion, and the alleviation of poverty.
offer their services and experience to tary Centers for International Studies
local and international humanitarian in peace and conflict resolution.
Financial Support
projects.
In the year ended 30 June 2009, The
Group Study Exchange is a short-
Rotary Youth Exchange Rotary Foundation received contri-
term cultural and vocational ex-
Clubs and districts send and host stu- butions totaling US$223.8 million
change program between districts in
dents ages 15-19 who travel abroad and spent $187.8 million in support
different countries for non-Rotarian
for cultural exchanges of one week to of humanitarian and educational
professionals ages 25-40.
a full year; more than 8,000 a year. programs implemented by clubs and
districts and global polio eradication
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards activities. Contributions go into one
(RYLA) of three main funds: “I find a quiet
Clubs and districts sponsor seminars satisfaction in lighting
to encourage and recognize leader- Annual Programs Fund, which
ship abilities of youth and young provides grants and awards up someone else’s
through Foundation programs
adults ages 14-30. life, in being part of
Permanent Fund, an building a park, funding
World Community Service (WCS)
endowment from which only
Rotary clubs and districts from two a medical clinic,
a portion of the earnings are
different countries form partnerships
spent in support of Foundation or helping reforest
to implement community service
programs, ensuring the long-
projects. ProjectLINK at www.rotary
term viability of the Foundation thousands of acres
.org is a searchable database of club
and district community service proj- PolioPlus Fund, which
with trees.”
ects in need of volunteers, funding, supports Rotary’s goal of a — George M. Yeiter, USA
and donated goods. polio-free world
Humanitarian Grants Rotarians have raised funds that will
Program amount to more than $1.2 billion
ROTARY Humanitarian grants enable Rotar-
ians to increase their support of
in support by the time the world is
certified polio-free and have pro-
TIMELINE international service
projects that
vided hundreds of thousands
of volunteer hours.
provide Rotary is a spear-
1905 | Chicago attorney Paul water wells, heading
Harris organizes first Rotary medical care, partner
meeting on 23 February, leading literacy classes, with the
to formation of the Rotary Club of World
and other essen-
Chicago.
tials to people in Health Or-
1907 | Rotary Club of Chicago need. Rotarian ganization, UNICEF,
helps to organize installation of participation and U.S. Centers for
public toilets, one of the club’s
is key to the Disease Control and
first acts of community service.
success of Prevention in this
1910 | Paul Harris elected first these projects. initiative. As a result of
president of National Association their efforts, over two
of Rotary Clubs at the first Matching Grants assist Rotary
billion children under age five have
convention. clubs and districts in carrying out
received the polio vaccine, five mil-
1911-13 | Clubs formed in humanitarian projects with clubs and
lion people who might otherwise be
Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland; districts in other countries.
paralyzed are walking today, 500,000
organization name changes to
International Association of Rotary
District Simplified Grants enable new cases of polio are prevented each
Clubs. districts to support service activities year, and the number of polio cases
or humanitarian endeavors that has declined by 99 percent worldwide.
1916 | Club chartered in Cuba, ben-efit local or international
the first non-English-speaking Rotary’s US$200 Million
Rotary country. communities.
Challenge
1917 | President Arch In 2007 and 2009, the Bill & Melinda
Klumph proposes PolioPlus Gates Foundation recognized Ro-
establishing an endowment fund, Eradicating polio is Rotary’s top tary’s leadership in the polio eradica-
precursor of The Rotary priority. The PolioPlus program tion effort with challenge grants of
Foundation.
provides funding for mass immu- $100 million and $255 million. Grant
1945 | Forty-nine Rotarians help nization campaigns and support for funds are spent on immunization
draft the UN Charter. social mobilization, surveillance, and and other polio eradication activities.
1947 | Founder Paul Harris dies laboratories to help carry out the fi- Rotary’s challenge aims to raise $200
in Chicago; outpouring of funds nal stages of global polio eradication. million in matching funds by 30 June
from Rotarians used to establish
fellowship program.
1947-48 | First 18 Rotary Fellows
study abroad, a precursor of
Ambassadorial Scholars.
1962 | First Interact club
formed in Melbourne,
Florida, USA. World
Community Service program
launched.
1965 | Special Grants (now
Matching Grants) and Group Study
Exchange programs begin.
2012, and every Rotary club is asked Enhance public image and
1968 | First Rotaract club formed in
to help by organizing an annual pub- awareness. Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
lic fundraising event. The $555 mil-
The plan reflects research gathered
lion generated will be a vital catalyst 1979 | Foundation grant to
from a worldwide survey of Rotar- immunize six million Philippine
to help achieve Rotary’s top priority.
ians about the organization’s pri- children against polio sets stage for
orities and from focus groups on PolioPlus.
Key Meetings Rotary’s image in different countries. 1985 | Rotary launches PolioPlus
Several key meetings bring Rotarians It also unifies the strategic direction program and campaigns to raise
together to share ideas, celebrate suc- of RI and The Rotary Foundation by US$120 million to immunize all the
emphasizing the connection between children of the world.
cesses, enjoy fellowship, and plan for
the future. clubs’ most effective service areas 1987 | First women join Rotary.
and the areas of focus in the Future
RI Convention Vision Plan. 1988 | Through the PolioPlus
The RI Convention, the largest campaign, Rotarians raise US$247
million.
Rotary meeting, is held in May or
June in a different part of the Rotary “The RI Convention 1989 | Rotary returns to Hungary
world each year. This lively, four-day and Poland.
event features speeches by world and put the Rotary in this
1994 | Western Hemisphere
Rotary leaders, spectacular entertain- Rotarian.” declared polio-free.
ment reflecting the local culture, and
1999 | Rotary Centers for
unparalleled opportunities to expe- International Studies in
rience the true breadth of Rotary’s — Eric Marcus, USA peace and conflict resolution
international fellowship. established.
District conferences Future Vision Plan 2000 | Western Pacific region
Rotarians are encouraged to attend The Rotary Foundation Future Vi- declared polio-free.
their district conference, an annual sion Plan aims to increase efficiency 2002 | Europe declared polio-free.
motivational meeting that showcases and develop a more strategic focus Rotary launches a second polio
club and district activities. A family for the Foundation. A three-year eradication fundraising campaign
event, the district conference mixes pilot of the plan’s new grant structure to help fill a critical funding need.
Rotarians raise over US$129 million.
fellowship with learning and allows began July 2010 and involves about
Rotarians to become more directly 100 Rotary districts worldwide. 2005 | Clubs around the
involved with charting their district’s Clubs in pilot districts do not world celebrate Rotary’s
participate in current Foundation centennial.
future.
programs (except for PolioPlus and 2006 | Polio reduced to four
Rotary Peace Fellowships). Instead, countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria,
The Future these districts may apply for district and Pakistan.
With more than 100 years of experi- grants, which will enable them to 2007 | The Rotary Foundation
ence in providing service to com- carry out local and international recognizes the millionth Paul Harris
munities worldwide, Rotary stands projects of their choice, and global Fellow.
ready to respond to the needs of an grants, which support projects and 2007-09 | Rotary receives
ever-changing world. activities in six areas of focus: peace US$355 million in challenge
RI Strategic Plan and conflict prevention/resolution, grants from the Gates
The RI Strategic Plan focuses Ro- disease prevention and treatment, Foundation to help eradicate polio.
tary’s efforts on clubs, helping them water and sanitation, maternal and 2010 | Rotary Foundation launches
expand their service and publicize child health, basic education and lit- three-year pilot of Future Vision Plan.
their accomplishments. The plan’s eracy, and economic and community
three priorities are equally important development.
to Rotary’s future: During the pilot, the Foundation
will phase out current educational
Support and strengthen clubs. and humanitarian grants and refine
Focus and increase the plan for participation by all
humanitarian service. Rotary districts in July 2013.
“Rotary is the one place where it does not matter who
you are, other than in how you can use your skills,
knowledge, and abilities to be of service to others.”
— Andre Brandmuller, South Africa
Rotary Basics continues online at www.rotary.org/rotarybasics.
See videos, listen to audio presentations, and learn even more about what
it means to be a Rotarian.
Connect with other Rotarians online: www.rotary.org/socialnetworks
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