"Service Above Self" - "One Profits Most Who Serves Best"
Rotary started in United States of America with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. 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. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian se
rvice. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. Our ongoing commitment:-
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. We’re 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. AVENUES OF SERVICE:
For years, Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self has been channeled through the Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of club activity. Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club. Learn about effective club service in Membership and Training . Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards. Observed each October, Vocational Service Month spotlights Rotary club projects related to this avenue, offering opportunity for clubs and districts to use their professional skills in service projects. An Introduction to Vocational Service
Model Project Submission Form
Vocational Service PowerPoint presentation
Rotary Code of Conduct (formerly called: Declaration of Rotarians in Business and Professions
Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community. Community in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects (605A-EN)
Community Assessment Tools (605C-EN)
Community Service PowerPoint presentation
Rotary Community Corps
International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace. Rotarians can support International Service by sponsoring a project in another country, seeking international project partners to support projects in their own communities, or by personally volunteering at an international project site. Visit the ProjectLINK database to post a project in need of assistance, find projects to support, or learn about successfully completed projects to replicate. New Generations Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities as RYLA , Rotaract and Interact + now Earlyact , service projects, and creating international understanding with Rotary Youth Exchange .