What is Rotary?

Rotary is a volunteer organization with more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. It initiates humanitarian projects that address today’s challenges affecting the world today, such as hunger, poverty, and illiteracy.

Rotary club members represent a cross-section of business and professional leaders around the world. These 1.2 million men and women donate their expertise, time, and funds to support local and international projects that help people in need and promote understanding among cultures. Rotary International is the worldwide association of Rotary clubs united under a motto of Service Above Self.

Rotary’s flagship program is its effort to protect children against polio. It aims to eradicate the disease from the world.
 

A Brief History of Rotary

The first Rotary Club in the world was organized in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in a spirit of friendship and understanding a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public.  That basis of membership - one member from each business and profession in the community - still exists in Rotary.