What is Rotary?
There are so many characteristics of a Rotary club as well as the activities of a million Rotarians. Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

When did Rotary start?
The first Rotary club meeting was in Chicago, Illinois, on February 23,1905. The first regular luncheon meetings were in Oakland, California, chartered in 1909. The first Rotary convention was in Chicago in 1910.

What is the four way test?
The four way test is a standard of ethics Rotarians subscribe to in everything 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?"

Is Rotary a secret society where admission is on a restricted basis?
The only secret we have is that we are not more active in promoting the good work that we do.

Is their an opportunity to discuss business or the opportunity to talk about my vocation?
Rotary was started by a group of 5 business people in Chicago in 1905 and vocational networking is still an important part of the Rotary culture. The other great tradition is performing community and international service projects.

Since the organization is so large, do a lot of the funds raised go towards the infrastructure of the organization?
Rotary International and its foundation is consistently ranked in the highest category at independent charitable rating agencies. Currently Rotary has a rating of 4 stars by Charity Navigator and an A rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Do Rotarians wear funny looking hats?
Nope, sorry, but there are some great organizations that do.