What is Rotary International like? Rotary International reviews and website information

Rotary International is a global service club organization founded in 1905 and headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, USA. The organization was founded by Paul Harris in Chicago with the goal of improving the quality of life around the world through volunteer service and community projects. Today, Rotary International has become one of the world's largest and most well-known non-profit organizations, with its influence spread all over the world.

History of Rotary International

The founding of Rotary International can be traced back to February 23, 1905, when Paul Harris and three friends held their first meeting in an office in Chicago. Harris was a lawyer who wanted to establish an organization to promote friendship and cooperation among professional and business people. Initially, the organization was called "Rotary" because the members took turns meeting in different offices, and this rotation became the origin of the organization's name.

Over time, the concept of Rotary has expanded from the initial professional exchange to a global organization with service at its core. In 1912, the first International Rotary Club was established in Canada, marking the beginning of the organization's internationalization. In 1922, Rotary was officially renamed "International Rotary Club" to reflect its global influence.

Rotary International's Mission and Vision

The mission of Rotary International is to improve the world by serving others, promoting ethical standards and increasing international understanding. The organization works to address global issues such as poverty, disease, illiteracy and environmental damage through volunteerism and community projects. Rotary's vision is to create a more peaceful, just and prosperous world where everyone can enjoy dignity and opportunity.

In order to achieve this mission, Rotary International has carried out many important projects around the world, the most famous of which is the Polio Eradication Program (PolioPlus). The program began in 1985 and aims to completely eradicate polio through vaccination and other public health measures. So far, Rotary has provided vaccination services to billions of children around the world and successfully reduced the number of polio cases by more than 99%.

Rotary International Organizational Structure

The Rotary International organization structure is very strict, divided into multiple levels to ensure its global operation efficiency. The highest leadership body of the organization is the Rotary International Board of Directors, which is composed of Rotarians from all over the world and is responsible for formulating the organization's policies and strategic direction.

In each country or region, Rotary usually has a District Governor who is responsible for coordinating and supervising Rotary activities in the region. The District Governor is elected by local Rotary members and usually serves a one-year term. In addition, each Rotary club has its own leadership team, including positions such as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer, who are responsible for organizing and implementing local service projects.

Rotary International Membership

The membership system of Rotary International is one of the keys to its success. Rotary members come from all walks of life, including professionals in business, education, medicine, law, government and non-profit organizations. The conditions for joining Rotary are relatively loose. Anyone who is over 18 years old, willing to serve the community and abide by the Rotary's ethical standards can apply to become a member.

Rotary members enjoy many rights and opportunities, including participating in local and global service projects, attending Rotary meetings and events, and building professional and social networks with other members. In addition, Rotary provides its members with a wealth of training and development opportunities to help them improve their leadership, project management skills and international perspectives.

Rotary International's main projects

Rotary International has carried out many important service projects around the world, covering a variety of fields such as education, health, community development, environmental protection and humanitarian aid. The following are some of the most representative projects:

1. Polio Eradication Program (PolioPlus)

As mentioned earlier, the polio eradication program is one of Rotary International's most famous projects. The goal of the program is to completely eliminate polio through vaccination and other public health measures worldwide. Rotary works with international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States to promote this program.

To date, the polio eradication program has achieved remarkable results. The number of cases of polio worldwide has dropped from 350,000 in 1988 to less than 100 in 2021. Rotary continues to work towards this goal until polio is completely eradicated.

2. Water and sanitation projects

Rotary International has carried out many water and sanitation projects around the world, aiming to improve drinking water and sanitation conditions in developing countries and regions. These projects include building wells, installing water purification equipment, building sanitation facilities and promoting hygiene education.

Through these projects, Rotary has helped millions of people's lives and reduced diseases caused by unclean drinking water and poor sanitation. For example, in many countries in Africa, Rotary has worked with local communities to build thousands of wells, providing local residents with clean drinking water.

3. Education and literacy projects

Education is another area of ​​focus for Rotary International. Rotary has launched many education and literacy projects around the world to improve education levels, reduce illiteracy rates, and provide more learning opportunities for children and young people.

These projects include building schools, providing scholarships, training teachers, and promoting distance education. For example, in India, Rotary has worked with local governments and non-governmental organizations to carry out a large-scale literacy campaign, helping millions of adults learn to read and write.

4. Peace and Conflict Resolution Project

Rotary International also works to promote peace and conflict resolution. The organization supports peacebuilding in a variety of ways, including through scholarships, international exchange programs, and community mediation.

The Rotary Peace Scholarship Program is one of its most representative programs. The program provides master's and doctoral scholarships in the field of peace and conflict resolution to students from all over the world to cultivate future peace builders. So far, hundreds of students have obtained degrees through the program and are engaged in peace and conflict resolution work around the world.

Rotary International's Global Impact

The global impact of Rotary International cannot be underestimated. Through its network of Rotary clubs around the world, the organization is able to mobilize a large amount of resources in a short period of time and respond quickly to various humanitarian crises and natural disasters. For example, in major disasters such as the Haiti earthquake, the South Asian tsunami and the Ebola epidemic in Africa, Rotary clubs acted quickly and provided a large amount of material and financial assistance.

In addition, Rotary International has promoted cultural exchanges and understanding between different countries and regions through its global network. Rotary members come from different cultural backgrounds. While participating in service projects, they also enhance friendship and understanding between each other. This cross-cultural exchange and cooperation has made important contributions to global peace and development.

The Future of Rotary International

Looking ahead, Rotary International will continue to be committed to its mission to improve the world through volunteer service and community projects. With the acceleration of globalization and the development of technology, Rotary will face new opportunities and challenges. For example, the application of digital technology will enable Rotary to organize and manage its global network more efficiently, while also providing new possibilities for service projects.

In addition, Rotary International will continue to focus on global issues such as climate change, social inequality and public health crises. By working with other international organizations, governments and businesses, Rotary will strive to find innovative solutions to these problems and contribute to global sustainable development.

Conclusion

As a global service club organization, Rotary International has brought hope and change to people around the world with its long history, extensive membership network and outstanding service projects. Whether through polio eradication programs, improving water and sanitation conditions, or education and literacy projects, Rotary is taking practical actions to promote global peace and development.

In the future, Rotary International will continue to uphold its mission, unite global forces, jointly respond to global challenges, and work hard to create a more peaceful, just and prosperous world.