FAQs
Becoming a Rotary club member
What is Rotary?
How do I become a member of Rotary?
What are the qualifications for membership?
What are the responsibilities of membership?
What are the attendance requirements?
What is the minimum age to be in Rotary?
How do I locate a club in my area?
What is a Rotary e-club?
I’m a Rotarian
How do I switch to senior active status?
How do I recommend someone for membership in another club?
I’m moving. How do I transfer my membership to a club in my new area?
Miscellaneous
How do I apply for a scholarship?
If I’m not a Rotary club member, can I still help out with service projects?
How many clubs are there in Rotary?
How many members are there worldwide?
Where can I get the most up-to-date membership information?
Becoming a Rotary club member
What is Rotary?
Rotary International is an association of Rotary clubs worldwide. It’s made up of more than 33,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. The members of these autonomous clubs are called Rotarians, and they form a global network of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, all volunteering their time and talents to serve their communities and the world. Individual Rotary clubs, in turn, belong to the global association called Rotary International. Find out more about Rotary’s history and structure.
How do I become a member of Rotary?
If you’re interested in joining a local Rotary club, submit a Prospective Member Form , though individuals must be sponsored or proposed for membership into a club. Rotary International staff will process your information and forward it to local Rotary club leaders. You can also contact a local Rotary club directly. Use the Club Locator to find clubs in your area.
Often, a person being considered for membership is invited by a club member, or sponsor, to attend one or more club meetings to learn more about Rotary. In this case, the sponsor submits the candidate’s name to the club’s membership committee.
Please note that membership in a Rotary club is by invitation only.
What are the qualifications for membership?
Prospective members must
- Hold (or be retired from) a professional, proprietary, executive, managerial, or community position
- Have demonstrated a commitment to service through personal involvement
- Be able to meet the club’s weekly attendance or community project participation requirements
- Live or work within the vicinity of the club or surrounding area
What are the responsibilities of membership?
Members are expected to attend weekly club meetings. They must pay annual dues to their clubs, their Rotary district, and Rotary International, and they’re expected to participate in local or international Rotary club activities or projects. Clubs encourage members to aspire to club leadership or committee roles.
What are the attendance requirements?
An attendance record of 50 percent is required to remain an active Rotarian. Any missed meeting must be made up within 14 days before or after the regular meeting. To accommodate busy schedules, there are various opportunities to make up missed meetings .
For additional attendance information, see article 9 of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
What is the minimum age to be in Rotary?
There is no minimum age to join Rotary. You may be invited to join at any age after you become established in a career and have the time and financial resources to meet all Rotary club membership requirements. If you’re interested in joining a Rotary club, ask members about the time and financial commitments necessary to fulfill membership requirements, and consider whether you can make those commitments.
How do I locate a club in my area?
Use the Club Locator to search by city or district number.
What is a Rotary eClub?
Rotary e-clubs are Rotary clubs that meet electronically. Like all Rotary clubs, e-clubs meet weekly, perform service projects in local and international communities, support The Rotary Foundation, and enjoy fellowship among members. The key distinction is that an e-club conducts its weekly meetings on a dedicated website. Because e-clubs meet online, members can access the site at their convenience at any point during the week. The flexibility in meeting times offers members with hectic business schedules, physical disabilities, or location constraints the opportunity to be part of a Rotary club. In addition, Rotary e-clubs offer an opportunity for all Rotarians to make up a missed meeting online.
I’m a Rotarian
How do I switch to senior active status?
Rotary no longer has a senior active classification. As of the 2001 Council on Legislation, only two membership categories exist: active and honorary. Rotarians who have retired may retain the same classification, but they aren’t counted in the total number of members in a classification.
How do I recommend someone for membership in another club?
If you’re an active member of a Rotary club that is in good standing and know someone suited to Rotary, complete the Membership Referral Form.
I’m moving. How do I transfer my membership to a club in my new area?
Being member of a traditional Rotary Club: All relocating Rotarians are encouraged to seek out clubs in their new location. Because each Rotary club is self-governing, however, membership isn’t transferable. Once you’ve been accepted for membership in a new club, you should resign your membership in your former club, as of your admittance date to your new club. Be sure to use your former membership number so your membership history is retained.
If you’re moving more than 20 miles away and will no longer be a member of your current Rotary club, you can either complete the Rotarian Relocation Form or ask your club secretary to submit the Membership Referral Form on your behalf.
Read about membership provisions for special leaves of absence in Article 12, Section 2(a)(1) of the Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
However being member of our club or any other Rotary eClub you don’t have to search for a club in your new location. Instead you can remain member of your eClub, paying attendance as usual regardless from your location.
Miscellaneous
How do I apply for a scholarship?
The Rotary Foundation’s oldest and best-known program is Ambassadorial Scholarships. Since 1947, more than 40,000 men and women from 100 nations have studied abroad as Ambassadorial Scholars. Today, it is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. Find out more about Ambassadorial Scholarships, and download an application form. E-mail the Scholarships Department at inquiriess@rotary.org.
If I’m not a Rotary club member, can I still help out with service projects?
Yes! You can offer to assist any Rotary club with its local service projects. Use our Club Locator to find a club in your area.
How many clubs are there in Rotary?
Rotary more than 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide.
How many members are there worldwide?
There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide.
Where can I get the most up-to-date membership information?
Rotary International posts monthly membership figures on the Membership Resources page.
If you need additional information, please contact our Club for further support .
