What is Rotary?
Founded in 1905, Rotary is
the world's first service organization. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self". Rotary concerns itself with truth, fairness, improved relations between people and world peace. The avenues of Rotary
service include community and international volunteerism through club activity and the promotion of ethics in all vocations.
Rotary is a
service-driven organization. Belonging to a Rotary club gives men and women an organized outlet for contributing to their community.
Rotary clubs are non religious, non governmental and are open to every
race, culture, and creed. Club membership represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders.
Rotary International has a global network of 1.2 million members in more than 29,000 clubs in 162 countries.
Worldwide the top priority of Rotary is the eradication of polio, which requires the
immunization of every child under the age of 5 years old. As a result of the efforts of Rotary and its global partners, more than one billion children have been immunized against polio since 1985. The target
date for certification of a polio-free world is 2005. By that time, it is estimated that Rotary members will have given approximately $500 million towards this effort.
Individual Rotary clubs are autonomous
and determine their own projects based on local needs and the interests and abilities of its members.