The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage:

  • FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  • SECOND. 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;
  • THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
  • FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

What have these people got in common.....?

Paul Voelker - Chair of US Federal Reserve

Roger Ebert - Film Critic

Bill Moyers - Journalist

David Horsey - Pullitzer Prize winning cartoonist

David C. Mulford - U.S. Ambassador to India

ANSWER - They are all Rotary Foundation Alumni

Click on Rotary Alumni for more.....

Rotary Internationally and Locally:-

Through its network of 1.2 million members of 32,000 Clubs in 200 countries and regions around the globe, Rotary really does make a difference. It is an amazing organization, which has the ability to direct aid to almost any troubled part of the World, simply through its network of local members.

Internationally, Rotarians have:-

  • In 1985 started ‘Polio Plus’, which aims to eliminate the Polio virus throughout the world. Rotarians have mobilized hundreds of thousands of PolioPlus volunteers and have immunized more than one billion children world-wide. It has raised more than $650 million for the cause, which has enabled whole continents to become free of the virus.

  • Formed or re-established Clubs throughout Central and Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Also now in China.

  • Created an endowment fund, set up by Rotarians in 1917 "for doing good in the world", which has grown into a not-for-profit corporation known as The Rotary Foundation. Today, contributions to The Rotary Foundation total more than US$80 million annually and support a wide range of humanitarian grants and education programs that enable Rotarians to bring hope and promote international understanding throughout the world.

  • Set up Courses at 8 universities around the world for outstanding people who have experienced service in troubled regions, to study for a Masters Degree in ‘International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution’. Alumni are filling key positions of influence in world affairs.

In East Hampton, Rotarians have:-

  • Raised more that $500,000 for local and international charities over 40 years

  • Supported Southampton Hospital with more that $200,000 funding

  • Provided $25,000 of product support to East End Hospice via ‘Camp Good Grief’.

  • Provided $20,000 support for OBGYN

  • Contributed to the Gift of Life heart surgery program for needy children. http://www.giftoflifeinternational.org/

  • Provided local financial help to Meals on Wheels, Little League, Seeing Eye Dog Foundation, East Hampton and Amagansett Historical Societies, Student Book Grants, Girl Scouts, Guildhall, East Hampton Child Day-care Center and many, many more.

  • Provided funds to Rotary International Foundation, which supports a wide range of health and education projects around the world (see above).