About Rotary
A Global Service Movement
Since 1905
Rotary is a global, non-political, and non-religious organization that brings together dedicated individuals from all backgrounds who share a passion for humanitarian service, community upliftment, and the advancement of goodwill and peace across the world.
Founded on 23 February 1905 by Chicago attorney Paul Harris and three of his friends, Rotary began as a simple idea — to rekindle the spirit of friendship among professionals. The name “Rotary” came from the original practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.
Growth of a Global Network
The journey
What started as a fellowship initiative quickly transformed into a service-focused club. By the end of 1905, the first club in Chicago had 30 members. Over the next few years, clubs sprouted in cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles.
1910: The Rotary Club of Winnipeg became the first international club (Canada)
1921: Rotary reached New Zealand — Wellington and Auckland became among the earliest clubs
1936: The first Rotary club in the Pacific Islands was formed in Suva, Fiji
Today: Rotary spans across 200+ countries, with 35,000+ clubs and over 1.2 million Rotarians
Rotary’s Core Beliefs
The journey
Rotarians believe in shared responsibility to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Through local and international projects, members take action on issues such as:
Health & disease prevention
Education & literacy
Clean water & sanitation
Economic development
Environmental protection
Peacebuilding & conflict resolution
How Rotary Works
From Grossroot level
Rotary operates within a well-established framework that has been tested and refined over the years. Rotarians continually learn from the successful initiatives and best practices of other clubs, adapting and enhancing them to suit their own community projects. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, consistency, and greater impact. Some of these time-tested practices are outlined below.
- Rotary is a grassroots organization: The Rotary clubs are the heart of the movement.
- Clubs operate autonomously but are chartered under Rotary International.
- The most meaningful service happens through clubs like ours, which bring members together to design and deliver high-impact projects.
- Rotary membership is flexible and accessible to individuals of all genders, professions, religions, and cultures.
- Through fellowship, networking, and service, members gain personal fulfillment and build lifelong friendships.
Why Join Rotary?
Join to experience
“Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision.”
As a Rotarian, you have the opportunity to make a lasting difference — in your community and globally. Whether it’s through volunteering, mentoring, contributing to projects, or simply showing up for a cause — you become part of a legacy that creates change for generations to come.
