About Rotary - Rotary Club of Whakatū

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both local and international levels. Rotary is dedicated to causes that build international relationships, improve lives, and create a better world to support and peace efforts and to end polio globally forever.

As an organization of service clubs, Rotary International has the highest membership in the world, with around 1.2 million volunteers who belong to 32,000 Rotary clubs, including Rotaract clubs (18+ year old’s) and Interact Clubs (12-18 year old’s).

Volunteers from United States Rotary clubs joined members of the
Rotary Club of Bahia de Jaltemba-La Penita, high school students, and
their parents for a week renovating the Escuela Preparatoria 20 de
Noviembre in Las Varas, Mexico.

OUR STRUCTURE

Rotary is made up of three parts: at the heart of Rotary are our clubs, which are supported by Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.

Rotary Clubs bring together dedicated individuals to exchange ideas, build relationships, and take action.

Rotary International supports Rotary clubs worldwide by coordinating global programmes, campaigns, and initiatives.

https://rotary.org

The Rotary Foundation uses generous donations to fund projects by Rotarians and our partners in communities around the world. As a nonprofit, all the Foundation’s funding comes from voluntary contributions made by Rotarians and friends who share our vision of a better world.

https://rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation

Together, Rotary clubs, Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation work to make lasting improvements in our communities and around the world.

OUR GLOBAL PARTNERS

When Rotary partners with other organisations, we multiply the impact made by either group on their own. We call this “the Rotary effect.” From local food banks to global humanitarian organisations, we work with a wide variety of international partners, including:

Looking to partner with a local club, or even the global organization?
visit My Rotary to learn more about becoming a Rotary partner.

These Whakatū Rotary members travelled to India for a Rotary polio vaccination programme in Agra. Rotary International has played a pivotal and foundational role in the global effort to eradicate polio, primarily by spearheading the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a partnership launched in 1988 with organizations like the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, with later additions of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

OUR LEADERSHIP

What does it take to be a leader with Rotary? Integrity, expertise, and a commitment to service—all the qualities that make Rotary members extraordinary. We look for these qualities in all our leadership positions, including our elected President and Board of Directors, who lead Rotary International, our appointed Trustee Chair and Board of Trustees, who run The Rotary Foundation, and our General Secretary and executive staff, who provide long-term oversight of the organisation. Members of each Rotary club elect their own leadership.

Outgoing 2024-25 presidents stands on as new co-presidents for 2025-26 Julie Bryant and Wendy Goode display the club’s presidential chains, which come out once a year for the club’s changeover function.

WHY ROTARY?

Globally Minded
Rotary clubs are made up of volunteers who are involved in community service, emphasize high ethical standards, and work toward peace and understanding in the world through its seven areas of focus.

Wearing purple and red for World Polio Day. The nail on the little finger (pinkie) of the left hand is painted purple during polio vaccination campaigns to serve as a visual indicator that a child has received the oral polio vaccine.

Promoting Peace https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace
Fighting disease https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/fighting-disease
Providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/providing-clean-water
Saving mothers and children https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/saving-mothers-and-children
Supporting education https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/supporting-education
Growing local economies https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/growing-local-economies
Protecting the community https://rotary.org/en/our-causes/protecting-environment

A COMMITMENT TO YOUTH
Rotary maintains a strong connection to youth and young adults. Rotary clubs sponsor youth service clubs such as Interact, Rotaract, and support youth programmes including RYPEN (Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment aimed at Year 10 students), RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award (a programme for 18-30 years old’s) and Rotary Youth Driving Academy (RYDA), and also offer career development and mentoring programs. Rotary is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for all participants in its programs, including its international youth exchange programme RYE.

Whakatū Rotarians help supervise students participating in the annual Rotary Youth Driver Awareness programme (RYDA). This helps equip young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to be safer road users by focusing on critical road safety issues like speeding, fatigue, mobile phone use, seatbelt use, and carrying passengers.

CONFERENCES & CONVENTIONS

Rotarians have opportunities to meet at annual and zone district conferences and international conventions to meet each other, share stories, get ideas and to learn more about Rotary and how we can continue to increase our global impact.