Rotary is a global organization that brings together business and community leaders to provide humanitarian service and promote goodwill around the world. Founded in 1905, Rotary is committed to the motto “Service Above Self,” and its members work to address a range of social and humanitarian issues, including promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting education, and addressing poverty. Rotary is known for its network of clubs that operate in over 200 countries and territories, and its members contribute their time, resources, and expertise to make a positive impact in their local communities and beyond.
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Rotary Mission Statement
Rotary’s mission statement sounds as follows: “We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.”
Rotary’s mission statement is a succinct summary of the organization’s core values and purpose. Let’s break down each element of the mission statement:
“We provide service to others”: This refers to Rotary’s commitment to humanitarian service, where members contribute their time, resources, and expertise to help those in need. Rotary’s focus on service is reflected in its various projects and initiatives aimed at addressing social and humanitarian issues around the world.
“Promote integrity”: Rotary places a strong emphasis on ethical behavior and the importance of upholding high standards of conduct in all areas of life. This includes promoting honesty, fairness, and accountability in business and professional settings, as well as in personal relationships.
“Advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace”: Rotary’s mission goes beyond simply addressing immediate needs and problems. The organization seeks to promote deeper understanding and connection between people of different cultures and backgrounds, with the ultimate goal of fostering peace and harmony around the world.
“Through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders”: Rotary recognizes the important role that business, professional, and community leaders can play in promoting positive change in the world. By bringing together leaders from different fields and backgrounds, Rotary aims to leverage their collective skills, knowledge, and resources to make a greater impact.
Overall, Rotary’s mission statement reflects the organization’s commitment to service, integrity, understanding, and fellowship. It encapsulates the values that guide Rotary’s work and provides a clear sense of purpose for its members.
Rotary Vision Statement
Rotary’s vision statement is: “Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
Rotary’s vision statement is a powerful statement of the organization’s aspirations for the future. Let’s break down each element of the vision statement:
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action”: This reflects Rotary’s belief in the power of collective action to create positive change. By bringing people together across different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives, Rotary seeks to harness the collective energy and creativity of its members to tackle complex social and humanitarian challenges.
“To create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves”: Rotary’s vision is not limited to short-term fixes or band-aid solutions. Instead, the organization seeks to create lasting, sustainable change that will have a positive impact for years to come. This includes not only addressing social and humanitarian issues on a global scale but also working within local communities to make a difference close to home. Finally, Rotary’s vision recognizes the importance of personal growth and development, emphasizing the role that individual members can play in becoming agents of change themselves.
In short, Rotary’s vision statement reflects the organization’s ambitious goals and its belief in the power of collective action to make a positive difference in the world. It emphasizes the importance of creating lasting change at both the global and local levels while recognizing the role that personal growth and development can play in making this vision a reality.
Rotary Core Values
Rotary’s core values are: “Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, Leadership, and Professionalism.” These are the principles that guide the organization’s actions and decisions. Here’s what they mean:
Service
Rotary’s primary value is a commitment to service, which includes providing humanitarian aid and working to address a range of social and humanitarian issues around the world.
Fellowship
Rotary values the power of connections and relationships and seeks to bring together leaders from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions to build understanding and collaboration.
Diversity
Rotary values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment that embraces people of all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives.
Integrity
Rotary places a strong emphasis on ethical behavior, honesty, and accountability and expects its members to uphold high standards of conduct in all areas of life.
Leadership
Rotary values leadership and encourages its members to take an active role in making positive change in their communities and beyond.
Professionalism
Rotary values professionalism and expects its members to demonstrate expertise and excellence in their respective fields.
Overall, these core values reflect Rotary’s commitment to making a positive impact in the world through service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, leadership, and professionalism.
Rotary Mission Statement History
Here’s a brief history of Rotary’s mission statement grouped by year from newest to oldest:
2021 to present
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.” This reflects Rotary’s current aspirations and goals, emphasizing the importance of collective action and lasting change.
2004 to 2020
“The Rotary Foundation enables Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.”
1989 to 2003
“The mission of Rotary International is to support its member clubs in fulfilling the object of Rotary by Fostering unity among member clubs; Strengthening and expanding Rotary around the world; Communicating worldwide the work of Rotary; and Providing a system of international administration.”
1943 to 1988
“The mission 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 in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society.”
1910 to 1942
No specific mission statement was in use during this time period, but Rotary’s early focus was on promoting fellowship and networking among its members, as well as supporting community projects and charitable causes. During this time, Rotary was primarily focused on building its network of clubs and developing its organizational structure, as well as supporting local community projects and addressing social issues such as illiteracy and public health.
Final Take
In conclusion, Rotary International is a global service organization with a rich history and a strong commitment to humanitarian work, fellowship, and ethical behavior. Its mission and vision statements reflect its core values and aspirations, emphasizing the importance of service, collaboration, diversity, and leadership in creating positive change in the world.
From its early days as a small group of professionals meeting for lunch, Rotary has grown into a worldwide network of more than 35,000 clubs and 1.2 million members, united in their dedication to making a difference in their communities and beyond. Through its many programs and initiatives, Rotary has made a significant impact in areas such as health, education, peacebuilding, and economic development and will continue to do so in the years to come.
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Rotary Mission Statement History
Rotary mission statement remains unchanged through 2020 and 2021
