Rotary International - The World's First Service Organization

Rotary International was founded in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois. Rotarians are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotary's nearly 33,000 clubs in over 200 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as water, poverty, health, hunger, education and the environment.

Through more than $100 million USD in Rotary Foundation grants each year, Rotary clubs support community projects at home and abroad. Known as the world's largest private provider of international education scholarships, The Rotary Foundation funds more than 1,000 students annually to study overseas and act as cultural ambassadors. Rotary also partners with seven prestigious universities around the globe to educate midcareer professionals in peace & conflict resolution.

Polio Plus is Rotary's flagship program. Rotarians have contributed over $650 million USD and countless volunteer hours to help immunize over two billion children against polio. Spearheading partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative include the World Health Organization, Rotary International, U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention; UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Go to www.rotary.org for more about the many humanitarian efforts of Rotary International.