Avenues of Service
About Rotary
Club Service
Club Service is regarded by many Rotary leaders as the most important part of the club mechanism, because without a well-functioning club, little else can be performed via the other three Avenues of Service. The purpose of Club Service is to foster the successful administration of a Rotary club. Members do this by regularly attending meetings, sponsoring new members, participating in club fellowship, taking part in programs, serving on committees and on the club's board of directors, and representing the club in outside activities. Rotarians have an obligation to strengthen their club, so all members should be encouraged to get involved in Club Service.
Vocational Service
The second of the four Avenues of Service, Vocational Service fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service in pursuit of all vocations. Inherent in the Vocational Service ideal are:
- Adherence to and promotion of the highest ethical standards in occupations, including loyalty to employers, employees, and associates, and fair treatment of those with whom one has business or professional relations;
- The recognition of the worthiness to society of all useful occupations;
- The contribution of one's vocational talents to the problems and needs of society.
Vocational Service is the responsibility of both a Rotary Club and its members. The role of the club is to develop projects that help members contribute their vocational talents. The role of members is to conduct their professional lives in accordance with Rotary principles and to share in projects that the club has developed. Vocational Service evolved from the classifications principle - a feature originally unique to rotary that limits active membership to one classification system remains the basis for each Rotarian's personal classification within the club. This knowledge and experience gives each club the resources to carry out projects that address all aspects of the second Avenue of Service.
Community Service
Once described as the "heartbeat of Rotary," Community Service, the third Avenue of Service, is a many-pronged effort to improve the quality of life within a village or municipality. Rotarians have long been making substantial and lasting contributions to their communities. To a large extent, Rotary's reputation is built on the myriad service projects undertaken by Rotarians.
International Service
A foundation for peace is built of many small efforts to advance understanding and goodwill among people of different nations and to improve the quality of life. Rotary International regards the building blocks of International Service as: special international observances and events; international meetings; international educational and cultural activities; The Rotary Foundation; and World Community Service.
New Generations Service
The Avenue of New Generations recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through n leadership development activities, involvement in community and international service projects, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding.