About Rotary/Mission

Rotary International is the association of Rotary clubs throughout the world. Its mission is to provide service to others, promote high ethical standards, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Rotary clubs are non-religious, non-governmental, and open to men and women of every race, culture, and creed.

Founded in 1905, Rotary today consists of over 1.2 million members in 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and regions, all committed to creating better understanding and goodwill among people for the purpose of world peace.

Rotarians achieve this purpose by providing humanitarian service in their community, in the nation, and throughout the world. This is reflected in the club’s motto: “Service above Self.” While Rotary’s humanitarian efforts often fall into the three categories of health, education, and the alleviation of poverty, many others fall under the general category of improving the quality of life for as many as possible. Individual clubs address this in a multitude of ways to meet the specific needs of their community.

Many people today do not realize the importance of Rotary’s contributions to the world. For example, Rotary is the only non-governmental entity of the four-partner Polio eradication effort in the U.N. – Rotary International, World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Visit www.rotary.org for other examples.

What is Rotary?

Rotary Video Magazine
A profile of Rotary International’s president for 2010-11 (11 minutes) from Rotary Video Magazine.

Cowboy Logic: The Story of Ray Klinginsmith EN from Rotary International on Vimeo.