The Rotary Movement has one general goal- one object-that is, acceptance by all its members of the ideal of Service.

This can best be defined as being thoughtful and helpful to others in almost every worthwhile human activity.

Four basic approaches have been developed for the expression of the Object of Rotary, known as “Avenues of Service”. They are:

Club Service, meaning service to and within one’s club; Vocational Service, or service in and through one’s business or profession; Community Service, or service to one’s local community; International Service, which is service in the development and maintenance of friendly and harmonious international relations in strife-torn world.

These Avenues are exemplified in the activities of all Rotary Clubs and Rotarians worldwide.

CLUB SERVICE is the cornerstone of Rotary Service., since the other three avenues can function effectively only in a smoothly run club. It is the service that makes the Rotary wheel turn, assuring that all club members work well together. It seeks to promote the spirit of fellowship in which every service should be rendered inside as well as outside the club. New members are made aware, through Club Service, of what Rotary is all about- the objectives, scope, administration, achievements- and in a well-run club, they quickly come to appreciate the benefits and privileges of membership. Through Club Service, members are trained to serve clubs efficiently and thus to be better fitted for wider service.

VOCATIONAL SERVICE is an obligation that derives from holding a classification in Rotary club. Its purpose is to stimulate every Rotarian to exemplify and share the Ideal of Service within his business or profession. Rotarians are encouraged to put into practice in their business and professional lives the high ideals of Rotary. This involves matters such as fostering good employer-employee relations and career guidance for young people, and historically it has involved Rotarians in promoting high standards of conduct by professional and trade associations.
 

COMMUNITY SERVICE is the mainspring and a principal reason for Rotary’s existence. Every Rotary’s club large or small, in every country is engaged in community service projects. Club members see a need in their community and they act, often in cooperation with local agencies. Club sponsor such activities as traffic safety; cultural development; community beautification: fire prevention; home safety; relief aid; and assistance to the sick, the handicapped and the aged. The number of projects is limited only by the imagination and desire of club members to serve their communities. In each case, the projects are tailored to meet local needs and conditions, wherever they may be.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE is an area in which Rotary has truly excelled and is a positive and continuing force for world understanding and peace. The internationality of Rotary is most visible when Rotarians worldwide gather at its annual international conventions. Turbaned Asians mingle with kilt-wearing Scots and Americans in casual suits brush shoulders with men in colorful African robes. It is no better demonstrated than by the murmur of simultaneous translation of different languages at the plenary sessions of the annual international assembly where incoming district governors are trained. Clubs and Districts contribute to International Service by sending young people across international boundaries or, in turn, by welcoming them into their home communities. They do this in a variety of ways: by sponsoring young men and women for Rotary Foundation Scholarship; by supporting the Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Programme; or by taking part in World Community Service, in which a club or district in another country. Yet another way is to become involved in international Youth Exchange.

Rotary’s wide range of Youth Activities permeates all Four Avenues of Service. The slogan “Every Rotarian an Example to Youth” makes clear the goal of helping young develop their full potentials as responsible, creative adults. The effort is to work with, rather than for, young men and women. Thus, the relationship between Rotarians and youth is often reciprocal. Rotary-sponsored youth programmes are Interact, Rotaract, Youth Exchange, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), and ROVE (Rotary Overseas Vocational Exchange).