Rotary's Mission
The
mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of
Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high
ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill,
and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and
community leaders.
The Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the
ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to
encourage and foster:
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FIRST.
The development of
acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
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SECOND.
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;
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THIRD. The application of the
ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and
community life;
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FOURTH. The advancement of
international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world
fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal
of service.
Avenues of Service
Based on the Object of Rotary, the
Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the
foundation on which club activity is based:
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Club Service
focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective
functioning of the club.
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Vocational Service
encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to
practice high ethical standards.
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Community Service
covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve
life in its community.
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International Service
encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach
around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.
The Four-Way Test
The test, which has been translated into more than
100 languages, asks the following questions: Of the things we think, say
or do
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Is it the TRUTH?
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Is it FAIR to all concerned?
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Will it build GOODWILL and
BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
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Will it be BENEFICIAL to all
concerned?
Rotary’s Constitution And Bylaws.
Rotary is essentially a grassroots organization, with most of
its service efforts being carried out at the club level. The
district and international structure is designed to support the
clubs and help them provide more service in their local
communities and abroad.
The
Clubs:
Rotarians are members of Rotary clubs, which belong to the global
association Rotary International (RI). Each club elects its own officers
and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of Rotary.
The
Districts:
Rotary
clubs
are grouped into 532 RI districts, each led by a district governor, who
is an officer of RI. The district administration, including assistant
governors and various committees, guides and supports the clubs.
The
RI Board:
The 19-member RI Board of Directors, which includes the RI president and
president-elect, meets quarterly to establish policies. Traditionally,
the RI president, who is elected annually, develops a theme and emphases
for the year.
The
Secretariat:
Rotary International is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Evanston,
Illinois, USA, with seven international offices in Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland. The office for RI in Great
Britain and Ireland (RIBI), located in England, serves clubs and
districts in that region. The Secretariat’s chief operating officer is
the RI general secretary, who heads a 650-member staff working to serve
Rotarians worldwide.
Moving toward
the future with Rotary
In 2001-02, Rotary International began
developing a strategic plan to guide the organization as it
entered its second century of service. In June 2007, the Board
of Directors approved the RI Strategic Plan 2007-10, which
identifies seven priorities:
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Eradicate
polio.
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Advance the
internal and external recognition and public image
of Rotary.
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Increase
Rotary’s capacity to provide service to others.
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Expand
membership globally in both numbers and quality.
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Emphasize
Rotary’s unique vocational service commitment.
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Optimize the
use and development of leadership talents within RI.
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Fully
implement the strategic planning process to ensure
continuity and consistency throughout the
organization.
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