What is Rotary

About Us

Rotary is a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to addressing the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. With over 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographic areas, Rotary makes a significant impact both locally and internationally. Whether it's helping families in need within their own communities or working toward a polio-free world, Rotary's reach and work are vast and far-reaching.

Rotary also offers expanded service opportunities, including:

  • Interact: A service organization organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs for young adults aged 12-18. There are over 12,300 Interact clubs in 133 countries.

  • Rotaract: Groups organized by Rotary clubs to promote leadership, professional development, and service among young adults aged 18-30. There are more than 8,000 Rotaract clubs in 167 countries.

  • Rotary Community Corps (RCCs): Groups of non-Rotary members who work together to improve their communities. There are over 7,500 RCCs in 80 countries, all organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs.

Membership Snapshot
 

  • Who: Rotary members are individuals who step forward to address important issues affecting local communities worldwide. Our members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including doctors, artists, small business owners, and stay-at-home parents. Rotary connects these unique perspectives, leveraging their expertise to improve lives globally.

  • Where: From Haiti and Greenland to Nigeria and Singapore, Rotary unites a truly diverse set of leaders. The largest number of Rotary clubs can be found in the United States, India, Japan, and Brazil. The fastest-growing Rotary regions are in Southeast Asia and Africa.

  • What: Rotarians contribute their time, energy, and passion to sustainable, long-term projects in local communities around the world. Projects focus on critical global issues such as peace and conflict resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.

Polio Eradication
 

Rotary is on the verge of eliminating the second human disease in history, following smallpox. Since 1985, Rotary’s PolioPlus program has contributed to a 99% reduction in polio cases worldwide. In 1988, Rotary led the creation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative alongside its partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Polio eradication remains Rotary's top priority. To date, Rotary has contributed over US$1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than two billion children across 122 countries. Currently, Rotary is working to raise $35 million annually through 2018 for polio eradication, which is matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.