What is Rotary
Philosophy
The vision of Rotary founder Paul Harris was of a club that would kindle
friendship among members of the Chicago business community. He wanted to
find in the large city the kind of friendly spirit and helpfulness that
he had known in the small towns where he had grown up the spirit to
reach out in service to others less fortunate. Through the subsequent
spread of the Rotary movement, the spirit of friendship and service
evolved quite naturally into a focus on helping to build goodwill and
peace in the world.
It was also Harris's thought that the first club should represent a
cross-section of the business and professional life of the community.
From this idea developed Rotary's Classification Principle. Admission to
Rotary club membership is by invitation, and accepting the invitation
represents a personal commitment of the Rotarian to exemplify high
ethical standards in one's own vocation or occupation.
As the entity representing the global association of all Rotary clubs,
Rotary International's mission is to assist Rotarians and Rotary clubs
to accomplish the Object of Rotary, emphasizing service activities by
individuals and groups that enhance the quality of life and human
dignity, encouraging high ethical standards, and creating greater
understanding among all people to advance the search for peace in the
world.
The Object of
Rotary
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:
First. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity
for service;
Second. High ethical standards in business and
professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful
occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an
opportunity to serve society;
Third. The application of the ideal of service in each
Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
Fourth. The advancement of international understanding,
goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and
professional persons united in the ideal of service.
The Four Way Test - Of the
things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all? |
