What is Rotary?

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.  More than 1.2 million Rotarians belong to over 32,500 Clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club membership represents a cross-section of the community’s business and professional men and women.  The world’s Rotary Clubs meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. 

The main objective of Rotary is service  –  in the community, in  the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development.

The world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, was formed on 23 February 1905 by a businessman Paul Harris.

The Rotary motto is  Service Above Self. 


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