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THE OBJECT OF ROTARY
The Object of Rotary can be
considered the foundation stone on which the Rotary house is built.
This brief statement, 106 words in its current form, is a key
element of the Rotary International Constitution. It states the
essential purpose of the organization -- "to encourage and
foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise"
-- and then lists four areas by which this "ideal of
service" can be fostered. They are: through the development of
acquaintance as an opportunity for service; the promotion of high
ethical standards in business and professions; through service in
one's personal, business and community life; and the advancement of
international understanding, goodwill and peace.
This articulation of Rotary ideals
began with the first constitution of 1906 which had three objects:
promotion of business interests, promotion of good fellowship and
the advancement of the best interests of the community. By 1910
there were five objects in the statement and by 1915, six. The
document went through several further revisions until a final
revision in 1951 which made it a single "Object" which is
manifested in four separate ways. The "ideal of service"
is the key phrase, expressing an attitude of being a thoughtful and
helpful person in all of one's endeavors.
Following is the
complete text of the Object:
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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