What is Rotary?

Rotary is an international membership organization made up of diverse groups of people who share a passion for and commitment to enhancing communities and improving lives across the world. Rotary clubs exist in almost every country. Being a member is an opportunity to take action and make a difference.

How Did We Get Here?

We’ve been making history and bringing our world closer together for more than 100 years. The first Rotary club was started in Chicago, Illinois, in 1905 by an attorney named Paul Harris. Harris wanted to bring together a group of professionals with different backgrounds and skills as a way to exchange ideas and form meaningful acquaintances. In August 1910, there were 16 Rotary clubs in the United States and by 1912 Rotary started to expand internationally. By July 1925, Rotary clubs existed on six continents. Today, there are more than 35,000 clubs, in almost every country in the world.

Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio. Through the PolioPlus program, Rotarians have contributed more than $2.1 billion to date and provided an army of volunteers to promote and assist at national immunization days in polio-endemic countries around the world.

Find out more about Rotary by visiting the Rotary International website.