Information for Prospective Rotarians

Rotary International is one of the world's largest service organizations, with some 29,500 clubs in more than 160 countries. Annually, Rotary clubs worldwide invite a limited number of men and women to become members. These prospective members represent various businesses and professional activities in their communities. As a progressive-minded business or professional person, you will see that belonging to a Rotary club, where outstanding representatives of the different vocations in your community come together, has its benefits.

To be invited, you must be:

• A leading representative of your business or professional activity
• Willing to help and participate in projects that enhance your community
• Willing to work on projects that help people in developing countries and promote international understanding and goodwill

Rotary clubs provide:

• Friendships with other managerial and professional leaders in your community
• Prestige of membership in a worldwide organization
• Ongoing practical education
• A networking of people who can help you become more successful
• Promotion of higher ethical standards in your business or profession
• Projects to enhance your community
• Help for communities in countries around the world

Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions

The Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions was adopted by the Rotary International Council on Legislation in 1989 to provide more specific guidelines for the high ethical standards called for in the Object of Rotary:

As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to:

• Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;
• Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;
• Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation;
• Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public, and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship;
• Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society;
• Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community;
• Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession;
• Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.

Why Join Rotary?

20 Answers to the Question: Why Join Rotary?

Revised January 14, 2006