Membership of Rotary is a means of giving back to the community, through using your professional skills or just being there to help out physically, on a local or international level. The Rotary Club of Melbourne provides a variety of services: we work with the community on issues such as homelessness and family violence, we support a water project in the Philippines, and raise funds for different charitable projects. Rotarians believe in 'Service Above Self" . Membership is a richly rewarding experience.
Every Rotarian wears a 'Rotary International' pin and is welcome to attend meetings at any of the 28,000 clubs in 188 nations and geographical regions. There are few places on the globe that do not have a Rotary Club. Being a Rotarian affords the opportunity to make friends at home and all over the world.
Rotary is an organisation comprising leaders and successful people, experienced in team building, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization, and communication. Being a Rotary leader provides further experience in learning how to motivate, inspire and guide others.
Rotary was founded on fellowship, an ideal that remains a major attraction of membership today. Club members enjoy camaraderie with like-minded professionals, and working on club projects with others offers the opportunity to develop enduring friendships. Rotary club members who travel have friendly contacts in almost every city in the world.
Practically every country, culture, race, creed, political persuasion, religion, language, colour and ethnic identity is represented in Rotary, forming a cross section of the world's most prominent citizens. Rotarians become aware of other cultures and learn to love and work with people everywhere, becoming better citizens of their own countries as a result. Rotary club programs and circulars keep members informed about our national and international activities, and motivated to make a difference.
Maintaining high ethical standards in professional activities and demonstrating respect for others have been hallmarks of the Rotary ethos from the beginning. Rotarians abide by The Four-Way Test:
Of the things we think, say or do:
Rotary ensures that a club's membership represents a variety of the community's professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry, the arts, government, sports, the military, and religion. Rotary clubs are non-political, non-religious, and open to all cultures, races, and creeds.
