Rotary Basics: How Rotary is Organized

For new(ish) club members, understanding how Rotary functions is an important part of understanding how, as members we can contribute and help the organization (at the local and international level) to thrive. This is the first in a multi-part series on Rotary Basics.

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. Our is the Rotary Club of Eugene Airport.

Districts Clubs are grouped into 532 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.

• We are in District 5110. Our 2007-2008 District Governor is Tim Bewley and our 2008-2009 District Governor is Mike Fischnaller.

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 2008-2009 theme is Make Dreams Real. Watch 2008-2009 RI President Dong Kurn Lee make the announcement here (link to video).

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.

Stay tuned for more Rotary Basics!