What is Rotary?

An organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders. More than 165 countries. Providing humanitarian service. Building goodwill and peace in the world.

Rotary is a global network of community volunteers. Rotary members are business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Some 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 165 countries carry out service projects in their local communities and abroad to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment.

Projects

Rotary clubs participate in a broad range of humanitarian, intercultural, and educational activities

designed to improve the human condition. Rotary’s humanitarian grants support club projects that

provide health care and medical supplies, clean water, food, job training, youth development, and

education to millions of people in need — particularly in the developing world. In addition, Rotary

provides more than 200 grants each year to fund the work of Rotary volunteers, who travel to parts of the world where their technical expertise and knowledge are most needed to alleviate hardship and solve problems.

Peace

Rotary builds understanding through international scholarships, exchange programs, and humanitarian grants. In 2002, Rotary launched the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, an innovative program designed to educate tomorrow’s peacemakers. Hosted at seven leading universities around the globe, the program funds 70 World Peace Scholars each year for graduate studies in international relations, conflict studies, and negotiation — providing promising leaders the tools to further the cause of peace. Some 35,000 students from 110 countries have also studied abroad since 1947 as Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars. Rotary’s Group Study Exchange has helped more than 45,000 young professionals explore their career fields in other countries. And, each year some 8,000 secondary- school students experience life in another country through Rotary’s Youth Exchange program.

Polio Eradication

In 1985, Rotary launched PolioPlus, an ambitious program to immunize the world’s children against polio. Rotary’s grassroots leadership, volunteer support, and initial funding for vaccine provided the catalyst for the World Health Assembly’s resolution in 1988 to eradicate polio worldwide. Spearheading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative are the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. As a result of this partnership’s efforts, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988, and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. Rotary members have given more than half-a-billion U.S. dollars and countless hands-on volunteer hours to this critical effort. The savings to be realized from polio eradication are potentially as high as US$1.5 billion per year — funds that could be used to address other public health priorities. The savings in human suffering will be immeasurable.

Progress

Nations Educational, Scientifi c, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and some 50 Rotary members served as delegates and consultants at the founding of the United Nations. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status with the United Nations that a nongovernmental organization can obtain. In this capacity, Rotary has a voice within the UN system allowing access to its people and resources worldwide. Paul P. Harris formed the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self and, as it celebrates its centennial, Rotary continues to concern itself with truth, fairness, improved relations between peoples, and world peace. During World War II, Rotary members increasingly became involved in promoting international understanding. A Rotary conference held in London in 1942 planted the seeds for the development of the United Nations Educational, Scientifi c, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and some 50 Rotary members served as delegates and consultants at the founding of the United Nations. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status with the United Nations that a nongovernmental organization can obtain. In this capacity, Rotary has a voice within the UN system allowing access to its people and resources worldwide.

People

Belonging to a Rotary club gives men and women an enjoyable and organized way to make a contribution to their community. Rotary members meet weekly to plan club, community, and international service activities. By using their skills and expertise globally, members also enhance

their professional network, career development, and cross-cultural understanding. Rotary clubs are nonreligious, nongovernmental, and open to every race, culture, and creed. Members represent a cross section of local business and professional leaders. To learn more about a Rotary club in your community, please visit the information for prospective members section of the Rotary International Web site at www.rotary.org or contact your local club.

Why Join Your Local Rotary Club?

Professional Networking

A founding principle of Rotary was to meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and enlarge one’s

circle of business and professional acquaintances. As the oldest service club in the world, Rotary club members represent a cross-section of the community’s owners, executives, managers, political leaders, and professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy.

Service Opportunities

Club members have many opportunities for humanitarian service, both locally and internationally. Service programs address such concerns as health care, hunger, poverty, illiteracy, and the environment. Rotarians experience the fulfillment that comes from giving back to the community.

International Awareness

With more than 31,000 Rotary clubs in over 160 countries, Rotarians gain an understanding of humanitarian issues through international service projects and exchange programs. One of Rotary’s highest objectives is to build goodwill and peace throughout the world.

Friendship

Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of membership today. Club members enjoy the camaraderie with like-minded professionals, and club projects offer additional opportunities to develop enduring friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city in the world.

Good Citizenship

Weekly Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the community, nation, and world and motivated to make a difference.

Family Foundations

Rotary sponsors some of the world’s largest youth exchange, educational exchange, and scholarship programs. Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities and mentoring for young leaders and involve family members in a wide range of social and service activities.

Entertainment

Social activities give Rotarians a chance to let loose and have fun. Every Rotary club and district hosts parties and activities that offer diversions from today’s demanding professional and personal schedules. Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and social events provide entertainment as well as Rotary information, education, and service.

Ethical Environment

Encouraging high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for all worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from its earliest days. In their business and professional lives, Rotarians abide by The Four-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?

Leadership Development

Rotary is an organization of successful professionals. Team building, fundraising, public

speaking, planning, organization, and communication are just a sampling of the leadership skills that club members can exercise and enhance. Being a Rotary leader provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire, and guide others.

Diversity in Membership

Rotary’s classification system ensures that a club’s membership represents a variety of the

community’s professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry, the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion. Rotary clubs are nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.

Rotary Basics

“The more I learn about Rotary, the more I love Rotary.” – Michael P. Slevnik, USA

“Rotary lets you give something back, in the knowledge that you belong to the largest

family of givers.” – Deanna Ann Duguid, Indonesia

“Thanks to Rotary, my efforts to make the world a better place are multiplied. I’m no

longer alone.” – Fernando Aguirre Palacios, Ecuador

Rotary International, the world’s oldest service club organization, is made up of over 32,000

clubs in 168 countries. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. Strong fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international service projects characterize Rotary worldwide. Rotary enjoys a rich and sometimes complex tradition and organizational structure, with many programs and customs that can be confusing to new and even not-so-new members. The following pages offer a basic Rotary education – the fundamental knowledge that will make every member better informed about Rotary and proud to be a Rotarian.

The Organization of Rotary

Rotary is essentially a grassroots organization, with most of its service efforts being carried

out at the club level. The district and international structure is designed to support the clubs and help them provide more service in their communities and abroad.

CLUBS: Rotarians are members of Rotary clubs, which belong to the global association Rotary International (RI). Each club elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within the framework of Rotary’s constitution and bylaws. DISTRICTS Clubs are grouped into 529 RI districts, each led by a district governor, who is an officer of RI. The district administration, including assistant governors and various committees, guides and supports the clubs. RI BOARD The 19-member RI Board of Directors, which includes the RI president and president-elect, meets quarterly to establish policies. Traditionally, the RI president, who is elected annually, develops a theme and emphasis for the year.

THE SECRETARIAT Rotary International is headquartered in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, USA, with seven international offices in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Korea, and Switzerland. The RI in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI) office, in England, serves clubs and districts in that region. The Secretariat’s active managing officer is the RI general secretary, who heads a staff of about 600 people working to serve Rotarians

worldwide.

Responsibilities of Club Membership

The club is the cornerstone of Rotary, where the most meaningful work is carried out. All

effective Rotary clubs are responsible for four key elements: sustaining or increasing their membership base, participating in service projects that benefit their own community and those in other countries, supporting The Rotary Foundation of RI financially and through program participation, and developing leaders capable of serving in Rotary beyond the club level. What Rotarians get out of Rotary depends largely on what they put into it. Many membership requirements are designed to help members more fully participate in and enjoy their Rotary experience.

ATTENDANCE Attending weekly club meetings allows members to enjoy their club’s fellowship and enrich their professional and personal knowledge. If members miss their own club’s meeting, they are encouraged to expand their Rotary horizons by attending make-up meetings at any Rotary club in the world – a practice that guarantees Rotarians a warm welcome in communities around the globe. For meeting places and times, consult the Official Directory or use the Club Locator at www.rotary.org, the RI Web site. SERVICE By participating in club service projects, members learn about their club’s involvement in local and international projects and can volunteer their time and talents where they are most needed.

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION To keep clubs strong, every Rotarian must share the responsibility of bringing new people into Rotary. Even new members can bring guests to meetings or invite them to participate in a service project. The value of Rotary speaks for itself, and the best way to spark the interest of potential members is by letting them experience fellowship and service firsthand. Keeping members interested in Rotary is another responsibility. Good club fellowship and early involvement in service projects are two of the best ways to sustain the club’s membership.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR ROTARY MEMBERSHIP

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE

When the deadly tsunami hit South Asia in late 2004, clubs in the affected countries swung into action, collecting money and goods to provide immediate assistance to disaster victims. Local Rotarians took the lead in reestablishing infrastructures such as schools. At the same time, their counterparts around the world were responding to appeals from Asian clubs. Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland, for example, raised more than US$12 million, much of which was used to provide shelter and clean water for those left homeless. In turn, Rotarians in tsunami-affected regions ensured that emergency aid from Rotary clubs quickly reached people in need. Rotary’s response to this catastrophe is just one example of how being part of an international network of volunteers allows individuals to maximize their impact and make a real difference in the world. In communities worldwide, Rotarians are working together to organize literacy programs, contribute to food pantries, and provide guidance to at-risk children. Rotary clubs are providing clean water to rural villages, sponsoring microcredit programs for small businesses, and equipping schools and clinics so that more children have access to basic education and health care.

We invite you to join Rotary Club of Pune Uptown. Print, Fill and Send the form

Rotary Club of Pune Uptown

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