A Rotarian is:

• A person who digs wells from which they will never drink
• A person who vaccinates children they will never meet
• A person who restores sight for those they will never see
• A person who builds houses they will never live in
• A person who educates children they will never know
• A person who plants trees they will never sit under
• A person who feeds hungry people, regardless of colour, race or politics
• A person who knows real happiness, which can only be found by serving others
• A person who works with their Local Community to help others more needy than themselves

Most importantly a Rotarian's motto is Service Above Self.

Rotary is an organisation of service clubs located all over the world. It is a secular organization open to all persons regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or political preference. There are more than 32,000 clubs and over 1.2 million members worldwide. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Members usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner, which is a social event as well as an opportunity to organize work on their service goals.

Rotary began in 1905 in Chicago. Attorney Paul Harris had invited three friends to explore his idea that had been developing for several years. The aim of the first Rotary Club was the encouragement of friendship, fellowship and mutual assistance. It is significant that each of the members of the first Rotary Club was a comparative stranger from a small town. Each felt a need for personal friendships to replace those severed by moving from their former homes. The name Rotary was prompted by the original plan of the club members meeting in rotation at their various places of business.

The movement spread rapidly around the world, and is organized on geographical areas. We belong to District 1160, which is the whole island of Ireland. The first club to be chartered outside North America was London, though this is the subject of light-hearted banter. (Dublin was organized before London, but chartered later). This Rotary Year (2010-11) therefore celebrates the centenary of Rotary in Ireland.

An important part of the values of the Rotary Club is summed up in the following - the 4-way test.