Four Avenues of Service - Overview

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The Object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.”  Rotary is a service organization.  Since 1910, the Rotary Motto has been “Service Above Self.”

Rotary strives to achieve it’s objective of “Service Above Self” through activities in five areas:

Membership Committtee

To be effective, a Rotary club needs members. Your club’s ability to serve the

community, support The Rotary Foundation, and develop leaders capable of

serving beyond the club level is directly related to the strength and size of

your club’s membership base. Your club leadership team and club members,

particularly the club membership committee, should assist you with your

membership development responsibilities. Your club’s membership development

action plan must incorporate strategies for recruitment, retention, and

organizing new clubs.

Service Projects Committee

The service projects committee should carry out educational, humanitarian,

and vocational projects that address the needs of your club’s community and

communities in other countries. Include the service projects committee as one

of the five standing committees of your club. Your club may amend its bylaws

to reflect the specific responsibilities of this committee, adding sub-committees

as needed.

Appoint Rotarians to the service projects committee who have a strong knowledge

of the community, as well as community volunteer experience.

As president-elect, work with the service projects committee to determine

whether current club projects will continue into the coming year.  Incorporate

continuing service projects as you set your goals.

Rotary Foundation

The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to support the efforts of Rotary

International in the fulfillment of the Object of Rotary, Rotary’s mission, and

the achievement of world understanding and peace through local, national,

and international humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs.

The Rotary Foundation provides your club the opportunity to participate

in and contribute to programs that make a difference in the lives of people

around the globe. Participation in Rotary Foundation activities can help

attract and retain members. When Rotarians directly experience Foundation

programs, they can be inspired to contribute to The Rotary Foundation.

Foundation programs are supported solely by voluntary contributions from

Rotarians and friends of the Foundation who share the vision of a better world.

Public Relations

Public relations is essential to Rotary’s future. It informs communities around

the world that Rotary is a credible organization that meets real needs. It also

motivates Rotarians to be active members of their club and district. Every

Rotary club should develop and implement a successful public relations plan

to be effective in the community. The plan can take many forms, from promotion

of a Youth Exchange student in the club bulletin to newspaper coverage

of a club project impacting the local community. Regardless of the cultural differences from onecountry to another, all Rotary clubs have audiences that they should communicatewith.Your club leadership team and club members, particularly the club public relationscommittee, should develop and implement the public relations plan.

Club Administration

The administration of your Rotary club is ultimately under the supervision

of your club’s board of directors, which you lead. Your club leadership team,

particularly the club administration committee, should assist you with your

administrative responsibilities in order to increase the effectiveness of club

operations.

The Club Leadership Plan is the recommended administrative structure for

Rotary clubs. Under this plan, effective club administration is key to carrying

out your club’s annual and long-range goals. The Club Leadership Plan begins

by having Rotary clubs develop standard procedures for continuity, communication,

and Rotarian involvement. This committee structure focuses onthe central functions of a club and can be expanded to address club servicegoals and fellowship.

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