When we talk about Rotarianism, we will put in the first place the principles of responsibility, professionalism, understanding and service to the community, which from the very beginning have been the guiding idea, and today find fertile ground.

The goal of Rotary is readiness to help in everyday life - "Service Above Self".

Rotary strives to achieve this goal by implementing the following principles:

• to nurture friendship for the benefit of others;
• accepting high ethical principles, both in private and business life, and respecting the value of every act for the common good;
• promoting the responsible conduct of all Rotarians in private, business and public life;
• fostering goodwill for understanding and peace among nations through a global community of business people, ideally united, to help people.

The movement soon proved that it was not national, political, or in any way exclusive, and soon spread from Chicago to the entire United States, and later to the whole world. The first Congress of Rotarians was held in 1910 in Chicago in the presence of representatives of sixteen clubs, and as early as 1911 the first Rotary magazine, The Rotarian, began to appear, uniting all Rotarians in the world. Wanting to break down racial, political, civilizational and religious barriers, the movement today has more than a million Rotarians organized in 28,000 clubs in 160 countries. Now, after ninety-five years of existence, the established humanitarian program of Rotarians to combat hunger, disease and provide assistance amounts to more than 500 million US dollars a year. Rotary, in addition to circulating, also means a ring that connects all Rotarians in the world under the same motto - to serve others - while enriching its own ethical principles and cultivating a cult of solidarity. Rotary International is in a similar position today as it was when it was founded. The world is facing new temptations, and it is the task of Rotarians to alleviate at least a little of what everyday suffering brings.

Four questions of principle or the 4 Way Test in Rotary

For the application and preservation of high ethical principles in interpersonal relations, the proven guiding thread is represented by 4 basic questions:

1. Is it true?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIP?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

Five Avenues of Service

In 1923, Philadelphia Rotarian Guy Gundaker tried to combine and describe Rotary's extensive activities in his 1926 booklet “A Talking Knowledge of Rotary”. The President of Rotary International in Britain and Ireland (RIBI) Sydney Pascall and the Secretary of RIBI, later editor of The Rotaryana, Vivian Carter defined three directions ( or avenues) of service that are still considered the basis of every Rotarian. This proposal was accepted as early as 1927 at the World Conference in Ostend, Belgium, and a fourth was added to the three directions of service, so that four directions of Rotary service were adopted at the next conference in Minneapolis. In 2010, the fifth direction of service was adopted.

Club Service

Each member is expected to participate positively in club life by participating in club programs, promoting the idea of Rotarianism, welcoming and introducing new members or guests, participating in committee work, performing some of the club's duties (as president, secretary). , board member, club master, head of the youth service, lecture organizer, treasurer, etc.). Serving the club also means readiness to help in the development of club life, even when some of the formal duties are not performed. Supporting and participating in the actions of other clubs is also one such activity.

Vocational Service

It implies that every Rotarian promotes high ethical standards in business and the profession, recognizes the values of all professions and professions, and respects the interests of every Rotarian as an opportunity to serve in society and the community. Serving the profession also includes active transfer of business experience to young people as well as transfer of knowledge through lectures from the profession and beyond.

Community Service

This service is just the heart of the ministry, thanks to which every Rotary club is a good neighbor who works hard for the good of the local community. Every Rotarian is expected to work and help in the social and charitable area of local community life, in activities for the common good of the environment in which he lives, works and acts. Serving the community also means participating in the affairs of the community. It is in the spirit of Rotary not to redeem ourselves with money, but to actively participate in the actions of the club.

International Service

It is the obligation of every Rotarian to contribute to and act outside the club and local community, promoting peace and understanding among the peoples and nations of the world, helping and participating in international activities through Rotary and beyond, in the fight against hunger, poverty, disease, illiteracy and in all other activities for the benefit of mankind.

New Generation Service

Through this service, Rotary emphasizes its deep and long-standing commitment and support to programs for children and youth, both in caring for young people and in organizing various forms of international youth exchange.