The 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:

  • 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; and
  • The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Rotary International

Rotary is a strong and vibrant force for good and for world peace and understanding.

It has grown from humble beginnings in 1905 to a world community of some 1.2 million Rotarians in 30,149 Clubs in 530 Districts in 34 Zones in 163 countries. In Australia alone, there are almost 1,200 clubs.

Rotaract and Interact Clubs throughout the world account for another 350,000 people sharing the Rotary ideal and being part of the Rotary International family.

Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, may have died some 75 years ago but his legacy lives on. Indeed, Rotary in Australia is now over 100 years old.

Our own two Zones have nurtured and developed the very successful Australian Rotary Health Research Fund project.

The most international of all of the programs, however, is The Rotary Foundation, offering many initiatives for the support and involvement of Rotary Clubs, such as:

Perhaps the most visible endeavour of Rotary to reduce global suffering, to improve the quality of life for people around the world and to engender community spirit and well being, is the Polio Plus program, with over 2 billion children having been immunised in some 122 countries.

In 2002 The Rotary Foundation of RI was recently recognised by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an organisation making a major and lasting contribution to global health, by the awarding of the 2002 Gates Award for Global Health, worth $1 million.

In addition, the Vocational Study Teams program of The Rotary Foundation continues to foster international peace and understanding, while the 3-H program was created as a means for Rotary to become involved in community action and assistance on a world wide basis.

Rotary can move forward in this new century to its Centenary in 2005, proud of its achievements, optimistic of seeing polio eradicated world-wide conclusively by 2005, but ever mindful of the challenges ahead.

20 answers to the question: Why join Rotary?

1. Friendship:

In an Increasingly complex world, rotary provides a most basic human need, the need for friends and friendship. It is one of the reasons Rotary began in 1905.

2. Business development:

This the second original reason for Rotary's beginning. Rotary consists of a cross-section of the local community. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others.

  • 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 through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

3. Personal growth & development:

Membership in Rotary continues one's growth and education in human relations and personal development.

4. Leadership development:

Rotary is an organisation of leaders and successful people. Serving in Rotary positions is an education in leadership: learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.

5. Citizenship in the community:

Membership in Rotary makes one a better citizen. Our Rotary club consists of active community citizens.

6. Continuing education:

Each weekly meeting provides different speakers and topics.

7. Fun:

Rotary's aim is to have fun at meetings and in service.

8. Speaking skills:

Many individuals who join Rotary are not confident in public speaking. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public communications and the opportunity to practise those skills.

9. Citizenship:

Our organisation is international. Every Rotarian is welcome at over 28,000 clubs in 188 countries, meaning instant friends throughout the world.

10. Travel assistance:

Rotarians who travel can call on the assistance of other Rotarians throughout the world.

11. Entertainment:

Every Rotary club and District has activities that provide diversion in one's working life.

12. Social skills:

Every week and at various events and functions, Rotary develops one's personality, social skills and people skills. Rotary is for people who like people, or who want to.

13. Family programmes:

Rotary provides one of the world's largest youth exchange programs and a host of activities designed to help family members in growth and development of family lives.

14. Vocational skills:

Every Rotarian is assigned a vocational classification and may take part in the growth and development of his or her vocation and provides vocational service to the community.

15. Development of ethics:

Rotarians practise a "Four Way Test" that governs one's ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business and personal standards.

16. Cultural awareness:

Around the world, practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, colour and ethnic identity is found in Rotary. It is a cross-section of many of the world's most prominent citizens from every background.

17. Prestige:

Rotary members are leaders in their vocations. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world.

18. Nice people:

Rotarians are nice people who believe that while it is nice to be considered important, it is more important to be nice.

19. The absence of an "official creed":

Rotary has no secret handshake, no official creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of people who simply believe in helping others.

20. The opportunity to serve:

Rotary is a service club. Rotarians provide International, Community and Vocational service. The best reason to become a Rotarian is that it is richly rewarding.

A great network

Are you interested in building lifelong friendships, representing your profession or business, and contributing to the community?

Membership of Rotary is by invitation and, to ensure a number of representatives of each business and profession.

The Rotary Club of Unley meets on Tuesday evenings (from 6.00 for 6.30pm until 8.00pm) at the Damien on Fisher Restaurant, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton SA.

Give us a call

If you or someone in your organisation or network is interested in discussing Rotary, please go to the Contact Us page for details of how to call us or send us an email.