Microsoft founder Bill Gates is a Rotarian himself and supports efforts in the fight against polio.

What is Rotary?

Rotary is the oldest service club in the world and one of the largest with more than 1.2 million members in more than 34,000 Rotary Clubs in 166 states. Rotary includes a number of sub-organizations such as Rotaract, Inner Wheel, Rotex, Interact, and numerous fellowships with similarities.

Rotary is a globally active, socially engaged network. The main Rotarian principle is “service above self”. The object 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.
  • The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life.
  • The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Famous Rotarians were former US-Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Walt Disney and Tenor Luciano Pavarotti. HRH Prince Charles, as well as Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates are Rotarians.

Each Rotarian should consider four questions in respect to thinking, saying and doing:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?


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