The members of the Rotary Club of Chicago are pleased to help you explore the many facets of Rotary. We encourage you to complete the items provided to prospective members in order to help expand your vision about opportunities for Rotary service and fellowship. Rotary Basics Video, please click here.
The 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.
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Established in 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago is the city's foremost organization for business people and professionals committed to community and international service. The founding club in the worldwide, 1.3-million-member Rotary movement, the Rotary Club of Chicago includes more than 200 men and women who have distinguished themselves in business, civic or philanthropic leadership. Rotary club members are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs. Through community service and other means, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Our members are our most important asset. They are the force that allows Rotary to carry out its many humanitarian efforts and achieve its mission.
Why Join Rotary? Membership in Rotary offers a number of benefits, including:
1. Effecting change within the Chicago community
2. Developing leadership skills while having fun
3. Gaining an understanding of and having an impact on local and international humanitarian issues
4. Developing relationships with community and business leaders
If you would like to be considered for membership by the Rotary Club of Chicago, please complete the Membership Application - PDF, and someone from the membership committee will contact you. An online form is also available (faster) at this link, Membership Application
Lisa Russ is Director of Membership for 2010-11. You can reach Lisa at (312) 602-6769.
Other Resources
Membership Brochure - ROTARY/One
Rotary Basics 2009-2010 - a brochure describing Rotary throughout the world.
Video: Rotary Membership - Understanding Rotary
Club Member Expectations - Approved
Video giving examples of Rotary involvement.
Welcome to Rotary Video
Rotary International Link
Rotary District 6450 Link
Video's from the 2009 Rotary International Conference in Birmingham, England
Rotary International on You Tube
Diversity Policy
The Rotary Club of Chicago has adopted a diversity policy to guide development of membership for the next hundred years. We are now targeting areas where our membership is underrepresented. If you are interested, please email Membership Director.
“The Rotary Club of Chicago fully embraces diversity and endeavors to develop a membership that is a true reflection of Chicago's business and professional communities. We are also committed to fostering an environment of inclusion and mutual respect, free from all forms of prejudice and intolerance.”