ROTARY is an organisation of business and
professional leaders united world-wide, who provide humanitarian
service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help
build goodwill and peace in the worldROTARIANS
meet each week for fellowship and interesting and informative programs
dealing with topics of local and global importance. Membership is by
invitation and reflects a wide cross-section of community
representationROTARIANS
plan and carry out a remarkable variety of humanitarian, education and
cultural exchange programs that touch people's lives in their local
communities and our world communityThe main objective of ROTARY is service - in the community, in the workplace and throughout the world. ROTARIANS develop community service projects that address many of today's critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, literacy, and violence. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students, teachers and other professionals., and vocational and career development.The ROTARY motto is "Service Above Self"Although ROTARY Clubs develop autonomous programs, all ROTARIANS worldwide are united in a program for the eradication of Polio. In the 1980s ROTARIANS raised $US240 million to immunise the children of the world: by 2005 ROTARY's Centenary year and the target date for the certification of a polio free world, ROTARY had contributed $US500 million to this cause. In addition, ROTARY has provided an army of volunteers to promote and assist at national immunisation days in polio-endemic countries around the world.