“Service above Self”

What would it take to change the world? Rotary’s 1.2 million members believe it starts with a commitment to Service Above Self.

In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, you’ll find members volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio.

Explore this site to learn more about Rotary and how you can join your local Rotary club.

Why join Rotary?

Maybe you’ve seen a need in your own community and wondered how you could help. Maybe you want to use your professional skills to help others — or even learn new skills. Maybe you’re seeking connections with other service-minded professionals in your community or abroad.

Whatever your reason, joining Rotary can help you achieve these goals, and so much more. See why these men and women are members of their local Rotary club. Then learn how you can get involved.

Community service

“Being a Rotarian means serving your community, networking, making friends, and building international relationships.”
— Mercy Bannerman, Rotary Club of Accra-Airport, Ghana

“Rotary creates the perfect venue for me to give back to the community I live in while enjoying the camaraderie of positive and active individuals.”
— Tom Brand, Rotary Club of Kenosha West, Wisconsin, USA

Networking

“Rotary is a tremendous network. Leaders in the community can connect and reach out to people in need.”
— Russel Honoré, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

“Rotary provides an environment for developing strong friendships and business relationships.”
— Pete Sinsky, Rotary Club of Kenosha West, Wisconsin, USA

Leadership skills

“Leadership is a key focus of Rotary. Through Rotary, you have the opportunity to expand your leadership skills and achieve your goals.”
— Norma Madayag-Reilly, Rotary Club of Newark, New York, USA

“A week doesn’t go by that I don’t learn something new from the speaker at our club or just from working on projects with people. It’s an opportunity to grow indefinitely.”
— Stephen Brown, Rotary Club of La Jolla Golden Triangle, California, USA

International service

“I’ve become much more internationally focused, and understand that there’s so much more I can do as part of a bigger whole than I could ever do on my own.”
— Toni McAndrew, Rotary Club of Mid-Valley (Dickson City), Pennsylvania, USA

“If you truly want to give back to the community – and to the world at large – you join Rotary. It has an arm that reaches across all barriers. To be part of that is very powerful.”
— Aruna Koushik, Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada

Friendship

“Every Rotary club in the world, no matter how big or small, has one thing in common: friendship. And it’s from this base of friendship that we serve our community.”
— Kemal Attilâ, Rotary Club of Ankara-Tandogan, Turkey

“I found a fellowship where every nation, every color, all of humanity can be like a family. I’ve got a place where I can serve my people and serve the world.”
— Ailinda Sawe, Rotary Club of Dar-es-Salaam-Mzizima, Tanzania

Family-friendly

“We want families with children to join Rotary, so we try to be very flexible. Family commitments always take precedence.”
— Wendy Scammell, Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest, Newfoundland, Canada

“For me, Rotary is a way of life – one that my husband and I have lived our whole lives.”
— Julia Gereda de Carlin, Rotary Club of Monterrico-Surco, Peru

Opportunities for young people

“There’s so much diversity in the work Rotary does. It can give you exposure to so many different areas and help you find what your interests really are.”
— Andrea Tirone, Rotaract Club of University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

“A great tool Rotary has is its educational programs. I was an exchange student (Rotary Youth Exchange) in Switzerland in high school. That’s how I got involved and what made me want to give back.”
— Jorge Aguilar, Rotaract Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA