Rotary International: What is it and What does it do?

A potted history of Rotary International


Rotary International is the world's oldest service organisation and one of the best known. Its motto is 'Service Above Self' - members seek to serve others and enjoy so doing. Rotary's members are made up of men and women in all walks of life. There are some 35,000 clubs in more than 166 countries (and 200 if other territories are included), with 1.2 million members. Rotary is for people of all races,of all religions and of none, and it is non-political.

Amongst Rotary's achievements is the important role it played in the formation of UNESCO and some 50 Rotarians served as delegates and consultants at the creation of the UNITED NATIONS.

Rotary was founded by Paul Harris a Chicago lawyer on 23 February 1905. He formed the first club - the Rotary Club of Chicago - with five other friends. They decided to hold meetings in each others' houses on a rota system - hence the name 'Rotary'.  The first ever public service carried out by a Rotary Club was in Chicago where the newly formed club financed a public convenience in the city centre.  Clubs worldwide annually undertake many acts of service in their local communities which they regard as of the utmost importance. Our own club, like many, receives requests for financial assistance from people with no other sources of help when statutory assistance is not available. We also consider help for local organisations such as clubs for the funding of essential equipment etc. As we are dispensing money collected or received from the public we are duty bound to exercise care in deciding whether or not we can help, given all the circumstances.

One of the things that we have done for some years is to donate around £2000/2500 each Christmas to the Salvation Army in Worthing to enable them to prepare and deliver parcels of food to needy families and individuals in our local community.  We do much besides in the field of education and welfare for instance. A recent scheme devised by a club member was to recruit suitable, mature volunteer mentors to help older children who have lost their way with the aim of helping them to focus on their future life when they leave school and to change their attitude. We work with a local school and the teachers have noticed that the pupils in the scheme have benefited. On completion of a course the children who have made the effort are presented with a certificate which they can present in due time to a prospective employer.

On the international stage ROTARY FOUNDATION, Rotary's own charity was formed in 1917 so it was exactly 100 years old in 2017.  It finances the largest charitable humanitarian programme in the world and each year more that 1,200 international projects are helped.  Since 1947 well over £3billion has been awarded. Individual clubs worldwide support it and our club aims to give £1000 annually to the Rotary Foundation.  Projects such as the provision of water wells, medical care and literacy classes are provided for poor communities abroad and of course in addition individual clubs such as ours fund similar such causes from our own charity accounts.  Rotary also provides disaster aid. Our club has, since 1985, given a significant sum to Polio Plus - the campaign to eradicate Polio from the world.

This then is but a snapshot of what Rotary International is all about.  Our Rotary Club is constantly looking for new recruits who share our philosophy and wish to help make the world a better place. 

Why not join us?!



John FozardContact John Fozard about this page:

(ALL fields required)

(If you are a Rotarian, please name your club.)

(ALL fields required)

Your email address will not be displayed, once the comment has been approved.

To reduce spam, http:// and www. are not allowed.

'What We Do' Main Pages:

Opportunity for those under exceptional circumstances and who are unable to obtain funding from statutory authorities- local or national

more  

Lifelites provides specialist technology for children's hospices across the British Isles

more  
Having Fun!

Rotary Kids Out Day, held each June, is supported by Rotary Clubs throughout the country

more  
Rotarains have fun.!!!

Quiz Night to raise funds for the Moroccan earthquake appeal.

more  

Following the death of Tony Hill his family have commissioned a memorial glass panel in his memory on Worthing Pier

more  
Presentation to 'Turning Tides'

Sue Baldock, immediate past president hands over a cheque for £1000 to the local homeless charity 'Turning Tides'.

more  
Some RYLA candidates in buoyant mood!

A seven day residential course for young people in their teens to hone their leadership potential

more  
Citation from Worthing  Borough Council in 1997 to celebrate our club's 75 years service to the town

We celebrated our Centenary in 2022.

more  

The new certificate is reproduced herewith. We shall celebrate our centenary in 2022

more  

Please go to 'What we do do' section and scroll down to access the simple form which needs to be completed sent as indicated, which is headed 'Application for Financial Assistance'

more  
The last 3 Forts Challenge race took place on SUNDAY 30th of April, 2023.

The Three Forts Marathon is the special one as it is approx 27.2 miles and covers rough terrain and steep climbs. The proceeds go to a local charity.

more  
A family delights in exploring their new temporary home

A charity our club supports which supplies emergency shelter when natural disasters occur

more  

Making contaminated water drinkable

more  

Walk along Worthing Promenade

more  
A young competitor shows concentration

A Rotary national annual competition conducted firstly locally then on a knock-out basis as rounds proceed to an eventual winner

more  
Rotarians taking every opportunity to ensure that no child is missed during a drive to immunise a local community

An account of the spectacular scheme to remove Polio from the whole world

more  
Club photo

Photo marking the beginning of the Rotary year on 1st July

more  

Several members did a walk along Worthing seafront to raise awareness and to sponsor Turning Tides

more  

The picture shows a larger project than ours and illustrates the scope of sand dams that can be used for quite big communities.

more  
The winners of the 2023 competition.

School pupils take part in public speaking contests with an audience present

more  

Picture shows Past President Sally Nowak, dog Poppy and club member Haydn Smith and wife Gail preparing to walk the South Downs Way for charity.

more  

A miscellany of pictures

more  

The exhibition takes place every 2 years, the last one being at the Bohunt College, Broadwater, Worthing in March 2020

more  

A potted history of Rotary International

more  

This is a Rotary competition to encourage young people to exercise their talents with the written word.

more  

Our cub's collaboration with Worthing Speakers' Club

more