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Written by David Scollin
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Monday, 10 September 2007 04:32 |
 | What is Rotary? Rotary is a global network of community volunteers. Rotary members are business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Some 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 165 countries carry out service projects in their local communities and abroad to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment. |  | Projects Rotary clubs participate in a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational activities designed to improve the human condition. Rotary’s humanitarian grants support club projects that provide health care and medical supplies, clean water, food, job training, youth development, and education to millions of people in need — particularly in the developing world. In addition, Rotary provides more than 200 grants each year to fund the work of Rotary volunteers, who travel to parts of the world where their technical expertise and knowledge are most needed to alleviate hardship and solve problems. |  | Peace Rotary builds understanding through international scholarships, exchange programs, and humanitarian grants. In 2002, Rotary launched the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, an innovative program designed to educate tomorrow’s peacemakers. Hosted at seven leading universities around the globe, the program funds 70 World Peace Scholars each year for graduate studies in international relations, conflict studies, and negotiation — providing promising leaders the tools to further the cause of peace. Some 35,000 students from 110 countries have also studied abroad since 1947 as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars. Rotary’s Group Study Exchange has helped more than 45,000 young professionals explore their career fields in other countries. And, each year some 8,000 secondary-school students experience life in another country through Rotary’s Youth Exchange program. |  | Polio EradicationIn 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, an ambitious program to immunize the world’s children against polio. Rotary’s grassroots leadership, volunteer support, and initial funding for vaccine provided the catalyst for the World Health Assembly’s resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio worldwide. Spearheading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. As a result of this partnership’s efforts, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. Rotary members have given more than half-a-billion U.S. dollars and countless hands-on volunteer hours to this critical effort. The savings to be realized from polio eradication are potentially as high as US$1.5 billion per year — funds that could be used to address other public health priorities. The savings in human suffering will be immeasurable. | 
| PeoplePaul P. Harris formed the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self and, as it celebrates its centennial, Rotary continues to concern itself with truth, fairness, improved relations between peoples, and world peace. Belonging to a Rotary club gives men and women an enjoyable and organized way to make a contribution to their community. Rotary members meet weekly to plan club, community, and international service activities. By using their skills and expertise globally, members also enhance their professional network, career development, and cross-cultural understanding. Rotary clubs are nonreligious, nongovernmental, and open to every race, culture, and creed. Members represent a cross section of local business and professional leaders. To learn more about a Rotary club in your community, please visit the information for prospective members section of the Rotary International Web site at www.rotary.org or contact your local club. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 November 2007 15:53 |
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Written by David Scollin
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Thursday, 13 September 2007 04:23 |
Becoming a Rotarian An association of approximately 32,000 autonomous clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas, Rotary International is one of the world's largest service organizations. The goal for a club's membership is an up-to-date and progressive representation of the community's business, vocational, and professional interests. An important distinction between Rotary and other organizations is that membership in Rotary is by invitation. Rotary clubs invite individuals to join and become members. Membership is vital to a Rotary club's operations and community service activities. A primary goal of the club is to continually expand the club with committed members who have the interest and ability to get involved in service and humanitarian projects. Prospective members must: - hold — or be retired from — a professional, proprietary, executive, or managerial position;
- have the capacity to meet the club's weekly attendance or community project participation requirements;
- live or work within the locality of the club or the surrounding area.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 04 August 2009 21:58 |
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Written by David Scollin
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Thursday, 13 September 2007 04:35 |
Why Join Your Local Rotary Club?Professional NetworkingA founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s circle of business and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy.
Service OpportunitiesClub members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.
International AwarenessWith more than 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries & geographical areas, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 13 September 2007 05:26 |
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Written by David Scollin
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Wednesday, 06 February 2008 03:37 |
Rotary Basics
Here is a document from Rotary International called Rotary Basics. This has lots of good information about Rotary for both new/prospective members and refresher information for established members. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 February 2008 04:33 |
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