Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
WHAT IS ROTARACT?
Join the global movement of young leaders who are developing innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Rotaract clubs bring together people ages 18 and older to exchange ideas with leaders in the community, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. In communities worldwide, Rotary and Rotaract members work side by side to take action through service. From big cities to rural villages, Rotaract is changing communities like yours.
Rotaract members decide how to organize and run their clubs, manage their own funds, and plan and carry out activities and service projects. Rotary club sponsors offer guidance and support and work with your club as partners in service.
Rotaract originally began as a Rotary International youth program in 1968 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has grown into a major organization of ~9,000 clubs and nearly 120,000 members in 189 countries and geographic areas. “Rotaract” stands for “Rotary in Action”, although the name originally comes from a combination of “Rotary” and “Interact” (International + Action), the high-school level program Rotary International created in 1962.
Most Rotaract activities take place at the club level. Rotaract clubs hold formal meetings in person or virtually, usually every two weeks, that feature speakers, special outings, social activities, discussions or visits to other clubs. Club members get together on designated days for service project work, social events, or professional/leadership development workshops.
To be eligible for membership, you must be 18 years of age and show that you are committed to Rotaract and of good standing in your community. After being approved by the club, members are inducted into Rotaract.
Avenues of service include Club Service, Community Service, International Service and Professional Development.
In 2019, Rotaract went from being a program of Rotary International to being a membership type of Rotary International, elevating its status to resemble that of Rotary clubs. As of 1 July 2020, Rotaract clubs can exist on their own or be sponsored by Rotary and/or Rotaract clubs. This makes them true “partners in service” and key members of the Rotary family. A Rotaract club may, but is not required to, establish upper age limits if its members so desire and record it in the club’s bylaws.
For more information about the Rotaract Club of Louisville, upcoming meetings and service projects, or membership, email Linda or Rick.
Rotaract Club of
Louisville
Chartered
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say or do
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians and Rotaractors to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and members recite it at club meetings:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
- FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
- SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
- THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
- FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
What We Do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 45,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
- Protecting the environment