Rotary is a volunteer organization of 1.2 million business and professional leaders and 600,000 teenagers and young adults united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help build goodwill and peace. About 54,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas conduct projects to address today’s challenges (locally in their communities and abroad in developing countries) including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, environmental concerns, peace and conflict resolution - while encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations.

As the world’s largest private provider of international scholarships, The Rotary Foundation, helps more than 1,000 students annually to study abroad in master programs and serve as cultural ambassadors. Rotary also partners with six prestigious universities around the world providing opportunities to earn a master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution. 8,500 youth exchange students study in 100 different countries each year cementing cultural understanding at an early age.

PolioPlus is Rotary’s flagship program. By the time polio is eradicated, Rotary club members will have contributed one billion US dollars and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary is the lead private sector contributor and volunteer arm of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in partnership with the World Health Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF.

Founded in Chicago in 1905 as the world’s first volunteer service organization, Rotary quickly expanded around the globe. Today, club members usually meet weekly to plan service projects, discuss community and international issues and enjoy fellowship. Our motto is “Service above Self”. Clubs are nonpolitical and open to every race culture and creed.

Click on the photo links below to learn more about Rotary's involvement in local communities and around the world.