Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons, united Worldwide, which provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. This is exemplified in Rotary's official motto:

     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 by each Rotarian of his occupation as an opportunity to serve society. 

#3 The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his 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.

     For these reasons, a high caliber of membership is vital to a club's operations,and a major objective is to enlarge the club with enthusiastic and service-minded new members. Prospective members must be of good character and reputation, and actively hold some professional, proprietary, executive or managerial position.

     Social standing, wealth, race, gender, religion and politics are not criteria for membership consideration; but the desire and ability to serve, and to meet the club's attendance requirements for its weekly meetings, are important considerations of the membership committee. A Rotarian, therefore, should not belong to similar community or service clubs which would substantially reduce his or her opportunity to comply with the obligations of membership, and a prospective Rotarian is expected to disclose such membership.

     In addition, a prospective member must either live or work within the territorial limits of the club or an adjoining club, or within the corporate limits of the city in which the club is located. A person whose business and residence are in communities not served by Rotary may be considered for membership by a club in an immediately adjacent Community

Continue learning about Rotary and the opportunities for service. Attend the district conference, an annual meeting of the district's Rotarians, that provides fellowship and discusses the affairs of clubs and Rotary International. Also attend an international convention to gain a true understanding of Rotary's internationality and the many ways in which Rotarians carry out international service projects. Future annual conventions will be held--beginning with 1994--in Taiwan, China; France; Canada; Scotland; and the United States.

1. Fellowship with people having similar ideals, including the desire to help others.
2. The feeling of satisfaction gained through participating in unique community and international service projects, improving your vocation, and developing international friendships.
3. he privilege of wearing the unique Rotary lapel pin, which identifies you as a member of a select group of men and women who attend to human needs along the pathway to peace.
4. A broadened acquaintance with leaders of other businesses and professions.
5. Participation in stimulating and informative programs at the club's weekly meetings.
6. Opportunities to form friendships with Rotarians of other clubs in nearby communities or around the world when attending other Rotary club meetings to make up for missing your own.


Opportunities to learn about other cultures as you host people from other countries in your home and club--Rotarians, or non-Rotarians who participate in the programs of Rotary and The Rotary Foundation--or are a guest of Rotarians abroad through Rotary homestay, friendship exchange and other programs.

The Membership Process

     Suppose, however, that although you have reached a point in your career that you have both the time and the desire to seek the rewards of service, you do not know any Rotarians, nor do you know how to contact a local Rotary club. What can you do?

• If your local Rotary club maintains an office, it may be listed in the white pages of the telephone directory. Look under "Rotary."
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or similar organization. Often, there will be a Rotarian on staff. If not, the Chamber should be able to provide information about the local Rotary club.
• Call the Rotary International World Headquarters at (708) 866-3000. Rotary staff members can provide local club contact information.
• Call the executive offices of larger businesses, the school board, and institutions of higher education in your community. Chances are good that you will find Rotarians there.