Rotary Basics

The Organization of Rotary

Rotary is essentially a grassroots organization, with most of its

service efforts being carried out at the club level. The district

and international structure is designed to support the clubs

and help them provide more service in their local communities

and abroad.

Clubs Rotarians are members of Rotary clubs, which belong

to the global association Rotary International (RI). Each club

elects its own officers and enjoys considerable autonomy within

the framework of Rotary's constitution and bylaws.

Districts Clubs are grouped into 534 RI districts, each led by a

district governor, who is an officer of RI. The district administration,

including assistant governors and various committees,

guides and supports the clubs.

RI Board The 19-member RI Board of Directors, which includes

the RI president and president-elect, meets quarterly to

establish policies. Traditionally, the RI president, who is elected

annually, develops a theme and emphases for the year.

The Secretariat Rotary International is headquartered in the

Chicago suburb of Evanston, Illinois, USA, with seven international

offices in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Japan,

Korea , and Switzerland. The office for RI in Great Britain and

Ireland (RIBI), located in England, serves clubs and districts

in that region. The Secretariat's chief operating officer is the RI

general secretary, who heads a 650-member staff working to

serve Rotarians worldwide.