Rotary International

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Rotaryfeira

A dinner of Oulu's Rotary Club 1937 (JOKAKAL3B-4000)

Rotary International 50th Anniversary 8c 1955 issue U.S. stamp

Rotary memorial, South Yarra

Rotary Durham Bede

Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all. Rotary International is best known for its efforts to eradicate polio, its scholarship programs, and its work to promote peace and resolve conflicts.

History

Rotary International was founded on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris, an attorney in Chicago, Illinois, as the world's first service club organization. The first Rotary Club was formed when Harris and three friends, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey, met in Loehr’s office for the purpose of fellowship and to discuss the promotion of ethical standards in their professional lives, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

As Rotary grew, its mission expanded beyond serving the professional and social interests of its members. In 1917, the Rotary Foundation was established, which has since funded a range of humanitarian projects and scholarships around the world.

Structure and Organization

Rotary International is made up of over 35,000 member clubs worldwide, with a total membership of over 1.2 million individuals, known as Rotarians. Clubs are grouped into Rotary Districts, each led by a District Governor. These districts are then grouped into 34 zones. At the international level, the organization is governed by the Rotary International Board of Directors.

The Rotary Foundation

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International and is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation. The Foundation funds international scholarships, cultural exchanges, and projects that improve living conditions and promote understanding among peoples of different countries.

Key Initiatives

Polio Eradication

Since 1985, Rotary International has been a driving force in the effort to eradicate polio worldwide through its PolioPlus program. In partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Rotary has contributed billions of dollars and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries.

Peace and Conflict Resolution

Rotary International also focuses on peace and conflict resolution by providing scholarships for peace fellows to study at its Rotary Peace Centers. These centers, located at universities around the world, offer programs that train individuals to promote national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict.

Membership

Membership in Rotary International is by club invitation to professionals and business leaders who want to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary clubs are non-religious, non-governmental, and open to every race, culture, and creed.

Rotary's Impact

Rotary's work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Rotary clubs participate in a wide range of community projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, health care, hunger, poverty, and environmental concerns.

Conclusion

Rotary International represents a global network of community volunteers. Its members are dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges, guided by the Rotary motto, "Service Above Self." Through its network of members and the Rotary Foundation, Rotary International makes a significant impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.