Rotary International

There is nothing secret in Rotary. Anybody can come as a guest at the meetings. Rotary is politically and religious neurtal.

What is Rotary? The board of Rotary set the definition in 1976: 

Rotary International is the world's first service club organization. Its more than 1.2 million members volunteer their time and talent to further the Rotary motto, Service Above Self.

The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

In 2001-02, Rotary International began developing a strategic plan to guide the organization as it entered its second century of service. In June 2007, the Board of Directors approved the RI Strategic Plan 2007-10, which identifies seven priorities:
Eradicate polio.
Advance the internal and external recognition and public image of Rotary.
Increase Rotary’s capacity to provide service to others.
Expand membership globally in both numbers and quality.
Emphasize Rotary’s unique vocational service commitment.
Optimize the use and development of leadership talents within RI.
Fully implement the strategic planning process to ensure continuity and consistency throughout the organization.

Rotary’s motto, "Service above self" , exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization’s more than 1.2 million members. An other from 1911 is: "He profit most who serves best".

Rotary was founded 1905 in Chicago by the layer Paul Harris

The emblema of Rotary, with a cog-wheel with 6 spokes and 24 cogs, was made in 1923. It is not allowed to use for commersial matters.

The Four-Way Test
In 1932, Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor created The Four-Way Test, a code of ethics adopted by Rotary 11 years later. The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions:

Of the things we think, say or do

Membership in Rotary demands attendence. If you are not present in at least 50% of the meeting you might be excluded as a member. You can make up by attending a meeting in an other club anywhere in the world.

Most of the officials in Rotary, inclusive the presidenten of Rotary International is held only for one year.

Rotary Foundation

The mission of The Rotary Foundation 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. The Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share its vision of a better world.

Every amount contributed to The Rotary Foundation is spent in support of humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs and their operations. Clubs and districts apply for and receive Foundation grants to carry out worthy projects worldwide.

PolioPlus program is the volunteer arm of the global partnership dedicated to eradicating polio. It started in 1985.

Decades ago, polio outbreaks were a constant threat around the world. After the introduction of polio vaccines by Jonas Salk and Albert Sabin and a steadfast immunization effort, these outbreaks became part of history in most of the world. Yet many still live under the threat of polio. Rotary and global partners donate money to UN that is committed to reach every child with the vaccine and ending this disease worldwide. Major gains have been made in the global fight against polio: In the 1980s, 1,000 children were infected by the disease every day in 125 countries. Today, polio cases have declined by 99 percent, with fewer than two thousand cases reported in 2006. Two billion children have been immunized, five million have been spared disability, and over 250,000 deaths from polio have been prevented.

Rotary's programs for students and youth can change the lives of those who participate. Through these programs, young people can earn scholarships, travel on cultural exchanges, or help a community through a service project.

The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries. For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. 

See some photos (Opens in a new window) from the visit of GSE-team from District 7890, northeastern parts of USA.

Rotary-links:

Rotary International
Rotary Sweden
Härnösand Rotary Club
Härnösand Kanaludden Rotary Club