Rotary is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. Rotarians believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our more than 45,000 clubs work together around the world to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Improve maternal and child health
- Support education
- Grow local economies
- Protect the environment.
Our Mission and Vision Statement
Rotarians provide service to others; promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change -- across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
Objectives of Rotary
The Four Objectives of Rotary are to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise, more specifically:
- First Objective: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.
- Second Objective: The practice of 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 Objective: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life;
- Fourth Objective: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Our History
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris, Rotary Founder (pictured left). The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. He saw Rotary as a force for ethical leadership, civic service, and peace—ideals that he promoted throughout his life and have become the cornerstones of Rotary today.
Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. That commitment endures today through an organization that remains truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Our members now span the globe, working to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.
Rotarians are not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries — down from 125 in 1988.
Learn more about how Rotary has been creating connections and making an impact for more than a century.
The Rotary Organization
Rotary is made up of three parts: our over 45,000 clubs, Rotary International, and The Rotary Foundation. Together, we work to make lasting change in our communities and around the world.
The heart of Rotary is our dedicated members, who share the ideals of service, friendship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Rotary clubs bring together people across generations who wish to create lasting change in the world, in their communities, and in themselves. Rotarians and Rotaract members around the world strengthen their connections to friends and neighbors taking action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotary is changing communities like yours.
With headquarters in Evanston, IL, Rotary International supports Rotary clubs worldwide by coordinating global programs and initiatives. And, The Rotary Foundation helps fund our humanitarian activities, from local service projects to global initiatives.
Learn more about our organizational structure and our foundation.
