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: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service. High ethical standards, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations. The dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society. Application of the ideal of service into personal, business and community life. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace. A world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service. ROTARY AT A GLANCE Introduction Rotarians volunteer their efforts to improve the quality of life in their own communities and beyond. Rotary clubs meet weekly and are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds. Club membership represents a cross-section of local business and professional leaders. Rotarians initiate community projects that address many of today's most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the environment, and illiteracy. Rotary clubs are autonomous and determine service projects based on local needs. Rotarians work with and for youth to address challenges facing young people today. Rotary-sponsors Interact clubs (for secondary school students), Rotaract clubs (for young adults), and Rotary Youth Leadership awards, young people worldwide learn leadership skills and the importance of community service. Youth Exchange gives opportunity to broaden worldview and build international friendships. In large cities Rotary has the community-based network to help address issues of homeless street children, violence, drug abuse, poverty, lack of role models, and gangs. Mission The main objective of Rotary is service in the community and throughout the world. Rotarians build goodwill and peace, provide humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary motto is 'Service Above Self.' Membership Statistics 2004 Rotary members worldwide 1,2m Rotary clubs worldwide 30,000 Rotary countries 166 Rotary districts 530 There are 1,835 Clubs and nearly 60,000 Rotarians in the UK.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION The Rotary Foundation was created in 1947 for the purpose of 'doing good in the world' and to support world understanding and peace. Foundation assets in Rotary year 2002/03 approached US$500 million, supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and 'Friends of the Foundation'. Over US$1.1 billion has been distributed on education and humanitarian aims, with US$90 million invested in 2002/3. PolioPlus is Rotary's commitment to eradicating polio. Rotary and its partners have immunised one billion children worldwide since 1985. By 2005, Rotary's financial commitment will have reached a half billion US dollars. In the past 18 years over one million Rotarians have volunteered their time and personal resources to PolioPlus and helped immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary's network links people in need with Rotarians in other countries who can provide resources. The Foundation's humanitarian programs improve health care systems, support sustainable sources of food and water, and provide literacy and vocational training particularly in developing countries. Educational programs include Ambassadorial Scholarships, the world's largest privately funded source for international study, awarding 1,300 scholarships annually for study abroad. Grants are also awarded for university teachers to serve in developing countries and for international exchanges of professionals. THE FOUR WAY TEST: ROTARY CODE OF ETHECTS 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 concerned? ROTARY COMUNICATIONS RI's Rotary Magazine published monthly on the Internet, RIBI's Rotary Magazine published bimonthly, District 1250 Magazine published quarterly The Rotary Club of Guildford District Echo published bimonthly. Newsletters of International and District Officers circulated monthly. Rotary International website www.rotary.org Rotary UK website www.ribi.org District 1250 website www.1250.org.uk and The Rotary Club of Guildford District website www.guildfordrotary.co.uk ROTARY STRUCTURE Clubs operate within Rotary International constitution and bylaws. The Board of Rotary International administers Rotary through local District Officers who are elected by the Clubs. The Rotary Club of Guildford District is part of District 1250, which represents a total of 60 clubs in Surrey and Sussex. Each Club is self administered by an elected Council, under Chair of the current Club President, and Members representing each committee undertaking the Club's commitments in the four avenues of service. Exclusive to the UK is a further tier of administration the RIBI General Council.
FOUR AVENUES OF SERVICE Club Service: Management of all elements that support the club, new membership, classifications roster, attendance, meetings programme, speakers, social activities fostering fellowship, public relations, magazine, web page, almoner. Vocational Service: Use of individual professional skills to assist society, ethical standards in business, career guidance, workplace improvement, career recognition, vocational awards and projects, volunteer programme. Community Service: Improving quality of life in the community, promoting literacy, helping disadvantaged and needy, providing youth opportunities and training, supporting Interact (ages 14 to 18) and Roteract (ages 18 to 30), environmental protection. International Service: Advancing international understanding, goodwill and peace, humanitarian support, Foundation, World Community Service, 3-H, PolioPlus, club twinning, volunteers lists, youth/group study exchange and scholarships, disaster relief. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP Regularly attend weekly programs of the club. Pay annual dues to Club, District and to Rotary International. Actively participate in local projects and activities of the Rotary Club. Support Rotary International projects and initiatives. Take active committee role within the Club and attend committee meetings. Conduct professional and business actions to the highest ethics. ROTARY FELLOWSHIPS Rotary Fellowships operate independently of Rotary International. Each group has its own rules and administrative structure with communications locally and worldwide on common elements. The three areas of fellowship are: Recreational: Offers a large number of general interest and hobby groups. Vocational: Groups in many areas of profession and occupation. Health: A small number groups in health and medical areas. CLASIFICATION Rotarians are classified by their principal professional or business occupation. It is defined by activities, or services, to society rather than by the position held by the particular individual. In other words, if a person is president of a bank, they are not classified as 'Bank President' but 'Banking'. Clubs endeavour to attract a significant cross section of the local community's vocational life to give widest possible resource and expertise for its programmes and projects.
WHY JOIN ROTARY? Friendship, Fun and Good Company Fellowship is one of two primary reasons why Rotary began in 1905. Rotarians are nice people who believe it is nice to be important but it is important to be nice. Business Development The second original reason, business development and networking in a broad cross section of the community. Rotarians help each other and collectively help others. Personal Growth and Development Membership develops human relations, public communication, social, people skills, and opportunity to motivate, influence, and lead leaders. Utilization of your professional expertise in committees and the community, the skills are broadened and enhanced. Local Knowledge The programme of guest speakers keeps members informed about what is going on in the community, nation, and world on a variety of timely topics. Citizenship in the World Rotarians are welcomed in all 30,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians and their families in need before or while travelling can find assistance through Rotary. Practically every religion, country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, colour, and ethnic identity is found in Rotary giving Rotarians more international understanding. Entertainment and Family Programs Rotary social activities provide a welcome interlude in the unceasing business life and opportunities for life partner involvement and to foster family values. The Code of Ethics Rotarians practice a '4-Way Test' to govern ethical business and personal relationships. Prestige Many Rotarians are prominent people, leaders in their field. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world, influencing decisions and policy. The Absence of an 'Official Creed' Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret policy, no official creed, no secret meeting or rituals. It is an open society of citizens who simply believe in helping others. The Opportunity to Serve Rotary is a service club consisting of the most active citizens of any community. Its business is mankind. Its product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities, giving opportunity to do something for somebody else and sense the self-fulfilment that comes in the process. Rotary is richly rewarding.
THE ROTARY CLUB OF GUILDFORD DISTRICT We are a lunch Club, of 39 Members, meeting Wednesdays 12.45 in The Jarvis Hotel. Since establishment in 1975 The Members have raised over 400,000 to help in excess of 600 deserving causes. We were awarded a 'Distinguished Club Citation' in 2002. Our regular service projects include mock interviews for students at George Abbot School, Young Citizen Awards held in the Guildhall with presentations by The Mayor of Guildford, facilitating The Surrey Advertiser Walk. We will be supporting the next Stroke Awareness Day offering free blood pressure tests in the Friary. We have financed the building of a nursery school for our twinned Club in Arusha with a further major project in the pipeline. Fund raising activities are paramount and include organising an annual Charity Boxing Night where 350 sit down to dinner with amateur boxing, raffle and auction, a gokart evening at Daytona Sandown, a horse racing night and Christmas High Street collection. We have an excellent Club magazine and weekly updated website. But most of all we believe the fun and friendship within the Club is the best in Rotary.