What is Rotary?
Object of Rotary
The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
- First
- The development of an acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
- Second
- High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
- Third
- The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal business and community life.
- Fourth
- The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world of fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Our Emblem
The meaning behind the Rotary emblem: Rotary’s emblem originated in 1905 as a simple wagon wheel representing ‘civilisation and movement’. The cogged wheel version was made official by a 1919–1920 decision of the International Board.
A keyway was added in 1929 to signify that the wheel is a ‘worker’ not an ‘idler’. To this is added a note from the Rotary Club of Burlington, Ontario, Canada: ‘Our wheel will not act alone, it needs energy… a force to set it in motion’
Joining Rotary
The benefits of being a Rotarian include serving the community, networking and friendship, and promoting ethics and leadership skills.
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Rotary International
Rotarians provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Learn More;
The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. Learn More;
Financials
Rotary International and its Foundation work continuously to be effective financial stewards. Learn More;
Leadership
The district and international leadership structure is designed to support the clubs and help them increase service efforts in their communities and abroad. Learn More;