Rotary's Five Avenues of Service
One Purpose:
Service Above Self
Our Foundation
The Object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise”.
"Service Above Self" is Rotary's founding principle of unselfish volunteer service to benefit others locally and globally.
Rotary strives to achieve this objective through activities channelled across five Avenues of Service, which form the foundation of club activity and guide how Rotarians contribute to positive change at home and abroad.
Five Avenues of Service
- Club Service : the first Avenue of Service
- Vocational Service : the Second Avenue of Service
- Community Service : the Third Avenue of Service
- International Service : the Fourth Avenue of Service
- New Generations Service : the Fifth Avenue of Service (Youth Services)
1. Club Service strengthens the fellowship of members through training, hospitality, and club operations. A thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan.
2. Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their professional expertise, education, and skills to the problems and needs of society, while upholding high ethical standards.
3. Community Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest through projects and activities that address local needs.
4. International Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace, understanding, and goodwill among nations through humanitarian work and global fellowship. We support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects and seeking partners abroad.
5. New Generations Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young adults in leadership development and service through programs such as RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), Interact, and Rotaract.
"Service Above Self"
— Rotary's principal motto approved in 1950, emphasizing unselfish volunteer service to benefit others locally and globally.