Rotary International

Rotary International, founded on February 23, 1905, in Chicago, is a movement that brings together a select group of men and women from various professions and fields of activity who “put their skills and hearts at the service of others to promote understanding among people for a better future.”
Its members uphold high standards of civic and professional ethics and develop programs dedicated to the public interest. Their main areas of focus include health and social welfare, sustainable development, education, training, and the personal growth of young generations within their communities.

At the founding of this institution, members took turns meeting in each other’s offices; it was during this period that the name “Rotary” was chosen and the Wheel emblem adopted.
Rotary is the oldest international service club and one of the most widespread in the world: it is currently established in nearly 180 countries and regions, bringing together about 1.5 million members across more than 35,000 clubs in over 220 countries. These clubs are organized into districts, which are further grouped into zones.
Each club holds a weekly meeting dedicated to discussing the projects it undertakes and pursuing the goals set for the year. Additionally, speakers are regularly invited to address topics related to various professional, economic, and social fields.
Membership in Rotary follows the principle of co-optation, with new members being introduced by a sponsoring Rotarian. This process respects one of Rotary’s fundamental rules, which requires a balanced membership where no single profession dominates, ensuring the broadest possible representation of society.