Rotary is short for Rotary International - a world-wide association of local clubs for men and women in business or the professions who:-

 ¨       provide humanitarian service to the community at local, national and international level;

¨       encourage high ethical standards in all vocations; and

¨       work for goodwill and peace in the world  

Rotary was founded in 1905 by a Chicago lawyer, Paul P. Harris, and now has over 1.2 million members in more than 28,000 clubs in 155 countries and 35 geographical regions.  There are 1,800 clubs in Great Britain and Ireland with over 61,000 members.