The world's first service club was the Rotary
Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA. The club was formed
23 February, 1905 by lawyer Paul P. Harris and three friends a merchant,
a coal dealer, and a mining engineer. Harris wished to recapture the friendly
spirit he had felt among businesspeople in the small town where he had
grown up. The name "Rotary" was derived from the early practice
of rotating meetings among member's offices.
Mission: The main objective of Rotary is service in the community, in
the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians build goodwill and
peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards
in all vocations. The Rotary motto is "Service Above Self."
Membership: Rotarians are professional men and women who work as volunteers
to improve the quality of life in their home and world community. Club
membership represents a cross section of local business and professional
leaders. The world's Rotary clubs meet weekly and are non political, non
religious and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians working in 33,660 Rotary
clubs in 155 countries and 35 geographical regions worldwide.
First admitted in 1987, women are the fastest growing segment of Rotary's
membership. There are currently more than 1,600 women club presidents
and women are also rapidly assuming regional leadership roles.
Rotary is one of the few service organizations experiencing membership
growth. In 1995 - 96, Rotary added 67,000 new members.
Service Today
Rotarians initiate community projects that address many of today's most
critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the
environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine
service projects based on local needs.
Rotarians work with and for youth to address challenges facing young
people today. Through participation in Rotary sponsored Interact clubs
(for secondary school students), Rotaract clubs (for young adults), and
Rotary Youth Leadership awards, young people worldwide learn leadership
skills and the importance of community service. Rotary Youth Exchange
gives high school students the opportunity to broaden their world view
and build international friendships.
Rotarians have a history of building safe communities and working for
peace. In the world's cities, where urban violence has become rampant,
Rotary has the community based network to help prevent unrest. Rotary
sponsored violence prevention projects and conferences address the root
causes of violence such as drug abuse, poverty, lack of role models, and
gangs.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International provides an opportunity
for Rotarians to work for international understanding and peace. Through
their Foundation, Rotarians sponsor international educational and humanitarian
programs, where some US$90 million is invested annually.
* PolioPlus is Rotary's commitment to eradicating polio by the year 2005.
Through the efforts of Rotary and its partners in the fight against polio,
more than one billion children worldwide have been immunized since 1985.
In1996, 150 nations reported no cases of polio, up from 85 when PolioPlus
began. By the year 2005 Rotarians will have contributed nearly US$400
million to eradicate the crippling disease. Of equal significance is the
huge volunteer army mobilized by Rotary International for social mobilization,
vaccine transport and immunization activities.
* Rotary's international network helps link people in need with Rotarians
in other countries that can provide resources. The Foundation's humanitarian
programs provide health care and supplies, clean water, food, job training,
and education particularly in the developing world.
* The Rotary Foundation's educational programs include Ambassadorial
Scholarships, the world's largest privately funded source of international
scholarships. Nearly 1,200 scholarships are awarded annually for study
in another land. Grants are also awarded for university teachers to serve
in developing countries and for exchanges of professionals. |
