Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,912 clubs in 532 Rotary Districts in more than 200+ countries and geographical areas. There are 7,105 Rotaract Clubs, and 163,415 Rotaract Members. There are 11,255 Interact Clubs and 258,865 Interact members. There are Rotary Community Corps located in 76 countries, and 6,143 RCC members. (Facts as of June, 2007)
Rotary club membership represents a cross-section of the community`s business and professional men and women. The world`s Rotary clubs meet weekly and are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
The main objective of Rotary is service — in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community service projects that address many of today`s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers, and other professionals, and vocational and career development. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio. In the 1980s, Rotarians raised US$240 million to immunize the children of the world; by 2005, Rotary`s centenary year and the target date for the certification of a polio-free world, the PolioPlus program will have contributed US$700+ million to this cause. $23.7 Million in 2006-07In addition, Rotary has provided an army of volunteers to promote and assist at national immunization days in polio-endemic countries around the world.
The Rotary Foundation
