Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders
united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical
standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the
world. In more than 160 countries worldwide,
approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 29,000 Rotary clubs.
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$500
million to this cause. In 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 of Rotary International is
a not-for-profit corporation that promotes world understanding through
international humanitarian service programs and educational and cultural
exchanges. It is supported solely by
voluntary contributions from Rotarians and others who share its vision of a
better world. Since 1947, the
Foundation has awarded more than US$1.1 billion in humanitarian and educational
grants, which are initiated and administered by local Rotary clubs and districts.
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THE 4-WAY TEST
Of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
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