Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business and professional men and women who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary’s main objective is service — in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe. The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self. Rotary clubs:
are open to people of all cultures and ethnicities and are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations. exist to improve communities locally and around the world. encourage high ethical standards in business and professions. work to advance international understanding by partnering with clubs in other countries. What do Rotary clubs do? Rotary Clubs address critical issues in communities worldwide. Examples of Rotary’s focus areas include:
Polio eradication
In 1985, Rotary International created PolioPlus – a programme to immunize all the world’s children against polio. To date, the PolioPlus programme has contributed more that US$600 million to the protection of more than 2 billion children in 122 countries. Thess funds have provided much needed polio vaccine, operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment and educational material for health workers and parents. Peace
In an effort to educate tomorrow’s peacemakers and ambassadors, Rotary launched the Rotary Centres for International Studies in 2002 at seven prestigious universities worldwide. University of Queensland is one of those universities. The programme provides master’s level education in conflict resolution to groups of 60 Rotary World Peace Scholars chosen annually
International Education
Rotary is the world’s largest privately-funded source of international scholarships. Each year about 1000 university students receive Rotary scholarships to study abroad. Rotary clubs also co- ordinate a high school student exchange programme that sends nearly 8,000 students abroad each year from three months to one year. Humanitarian Projects
Rotary Clubs initiate thousands of humanitarian projects each year. These projects address problems that create instability and trigger conflicts – hunger, poverty, poor health and illiteracy. Literacy
Rotary clubs are engaged in the fight against illiteracy worldwide. A cumulative language encounter programme in Thailand dramatically reduced school failure and was adopted by the Thai government for all the nation’s schools. Water Management
Recognising the importance ocf clean water, many Rotary clubs help to install wells and develop water treatment and distribution systems to increase access to fresh drinking water for communities in need, especially in developing countries. Why join Rotary? Maybe you’ve seen a need in your own community and wondered how you could help. Maybe you want to use your professional skills to help others — or even learn new skills. Maybe you’re seeking connections with other service-minded professionals in your community or abroad. Whatever your reason, joining Rotary can help you achieve these goals, and so much more. Rotary offers opportunities for:
Professional Networking. Members come from a broad cross section of the community – people who make decisions and influence policy
Service. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community
International Awareness. Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programmes. Friendship. Rotary was founded on friendship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of members today. Good Citizenship. Entertainment
