AN INTRODUCTION TO ROTARY

Rotary International is a global network of service volunteers. It is the world's largest service organisation for business and professional people, with some 1.2 million members operating in over 200 countries or geographical regions, in more than 32.000 Clubs

There are some 58,000 Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland in 1,845 clubs, helping those in need and working towards world understanding and peace. Its a fulfilling role, and Rotarians can get involved as much or as little as their time will allow.

But there is much more. Clubs meet on a regular basis, which allows members to build firm friendships. Every Rotarian has a right to attend any Club meeting anywhere in the world, so there is always somewhere to go, and people to meet, wherever business or leisure travel may take you.

Various Clubs have different emphases, which can reflect differences in size. A small market town may have a Club of perhaps 20 members, whereas in large centres the number can be closer to 100. Some concentrate on local community or vocational projects. Others link up with a sister club in another country to undertake an international project. Each Club decides how it wants to use the resources it has available.

 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:

• FIRST.       The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  

• 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;
  

• THIRD.       The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life;
  

• FOURTH    The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world