The Core of Who We Are

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
 
These principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction.  They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.
 
Object of Rotary
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:
  1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  2. 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;
  3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
  4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four-Way Test
The Four-
Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for the personal and professional relationships.  The test has been translated into more than 100 languages and many Rotarians recite it at their club meetings:  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?
Avenues of Service
We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five avenues of Service, which are the foundation of our  club activity.
  1. Club Service focuses on making clubs strong.  A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
  2. Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.
  3. Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest.
  4. International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding.  We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more.
  5. Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and Rotary Youth Exchange.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION
 
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.  Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 Billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
 
The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
 
Areas of Focus
  1. Promoting Peace - Rotary encourages conversations to foster understanding within and across cultures.  We train adults and young leaders to prevent and mediate conflict and help refugees who have fled dangerous areas.
  2. Fighting Disease - We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria.  We improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in developing areas.
  3. Providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene - We support local solutions to bring clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to more people every day.  We don't just build wells and walk away. We share our expertise with community leaders and educators to make sure our projects succeed long-term.
  4. Saving mothers and children - Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation.  We expand access to quality care, so mothers and their children can live and grow stronger.
  5. Supporting education - More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate.  Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.
  6. Growing local economies - We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old.  We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
  7. Supporting the Environment - The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both recently unanimously approved adding a new area of focus:  supporting the environment.  
OUR VISION
 
Together we see a world where people unite and take action 
to create lasting change - across the globe,
in our communities, and in ourselves.