The Object of Rotary

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:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service within our club and our communities;  (Club Service)
2. Promotion of high ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations;  the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;  and the exposure of Youth to community programs and support; (Youth & Vocational Service)
   
3. The application of the ideal of Service in each Rotarian's personal, business and community life;  (Community Service)
   
4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of Service.  (World Community Service)

RI Mission Statement

The mission of Rotary International is to support its member clubs in fulfilling the Objective of Rotary by:

• Fostering unity among member clubs
• Strengthening and expanding Rotary Clubs through out  the world
• Communicating the work of Rotary worldwide
• Providing a system of international administration. 

4-Way Test

From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is the 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president). This 24-word code of ethics was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and 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: