What is Rotary?
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million colleagues, friends, neighbours and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
Rotary members are involved in many forms of ‘service above self’, utilising their expertise and volunteering their time in making our local community and the world community a better place.
Rotary members also enjoy an active social program and the company of fellow members at our regular meetings and in our club service activities.
What do Rotarians Do?
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000 clubs world-wide work together to:
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- Promote peace
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- Fight disease
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- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
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- Save mothers and children
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- Support education
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- Grow local economies and local communities
- Improve the environment.
Our Mission
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
The Rotary Theme
Each year rotary members world-wide follow a theme set by the Rotary International President.
The theme for 2023-2024 is ‘Create Hope in the World’.
The theme for 2024-2025 is ‘The Magic of Rotary’.
How did Rotary Start?
Rotary started with the vision of one man, Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member