What is Rotary?

Rotary is one the largest humanitarian organizations in the world with 1.2 Million members in nearly 170 countries. Rotary club members, coming from all ethnic, political, religious and social backgrounds, are united in their mission to promote international understanding through humanitarian and educational programs.

Our Motto:
"Service Above Self"

Rotary clubs participate in a broad range of humanitarian, intercultureal, and educational activities in their communities and abroad by providing health care & medical supplies, clean water, food, job training youth development, and edcuation to millions of people in need. These efforts not only help build a better economy in our local communities, our contributions promote peace and cultural understanding world-wide.

The Four-Way Test

Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:

Of the things we think, say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Polio Eradication: One of Rotary’s many legacies ...

The world is nearly polio-free, thanks to Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF. Rotary launched PolioPlus in 1985, an ambitious program to immunize all the world’s children against polio. Rotary’s grassroots leadership, volunteer support, and initial funding for vaccine provided the catalyst for the World Health Assembly’s 1988 resolution to eradicate polio worldwide. Since that time, polio cases have dropped by 99 percent and the world stands on the threshold of eradicating the disease. Rotary members have given more than US$600 million and countless hands-on volunteer hours to this critical effort. The savings to be realized from polio eradication are potentially as high as $1.5 billion per year — funds that could be used to address other public health priorities. The savings in human suffering will be immeasurable.

Why Should I Join?

Being a member of Rotary offers professionals the opportunity to network with other business leaders who are also dedicated to worthy charitable causes. To become a Rotarian is to be part of a warm and welcoming fellowship of business leaders and community supporters. It is to gather every week with close friends and associates and feel the vibrant pulse of the community. It is to hear dynamic programs and be part of lively discussions on the most pressing issues affecting our community. In short, it is to be part of the positive force for change that makes Catawba County such a great place in which to work and live.