What is Rotary?

Rotary International was founded by Paul Harris on 23^rd February 1905. It is a worldwide association of local clubs for men and women in business or the professions, who are united in the founding principles of encouraging high ethical standards and building goodwill and peace in the world.
There are about 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide, in more than 29,000 clubs in 161 countries. In Great Britain and Ireland, there are 1800 clubs with 63,000 members. Rotary clubs enjoy helping both the local community and with projects around the world.

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:

• the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service
• 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
• the application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life
• the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace throughout a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

ROTARY WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE