Rotary Clubs were first formed in 1905 in Chicago and are now in over 200 countries
A worldwide organisation, Rotary is made up of men and women across all professions and vocations. Many members are professionals in the education field. You can spot them by the little blue and gold cog wheel badge they wear. Today with more than 1.2 million members and 33,000 Rotary Clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas Rotary really does have the resources to make a difference.

In Australia there are some 34,000 members in 1,200 Rotary Clubs in cities, towns and communities across the nation. Rotarians are active in raising funds and supporting projects involving health, education and the development of young people in their community, nationally and internationally.

The Rotary experience is built on easy forms of volunteering, friendship, business networking, personal development and a lot of fun. A strong sense of camaraderie develops through a variety of Club activities. Lifelong friendships are often formed that span not only local communities but also international boundaries.

The “End Polio Now” program that is featured on the DVD is just one of the ways in which Rotarians are collectively working to make the world a healthier place. You may have met Rotary international exchange students at your school, or had students who have benefited from many other local youth programs which Rotary organizes. On the following pages we have listed some of the youth orientated programs that Rotary offers.

If you would like to find out more about Rotary in your community you would be very welcome to attend some Rotary meetings or just have a coffee with a Rotary Club member who will answer your questions. Rotary Clubs meet each week (although you do not have to attend each week) and there will be a Club in or near your community.
To take the next step you can email info@schools-ending-polio.org.au with your details and location and we will arrange for a Rotarian to make contact with you.

Alternatively you can call 1300 4 rotary and ask the call centre staff to advise you of the Rotary Clubs in your area.

Rotarians are a very friendly group and are always happy to welcome visitors.

The Rotary Polio Story

After 20 years of hard work, Rotary and its partners are on the brink of eradicating this tenacious disease, but a strong push is needed now to root it out once and for all. It is a window of opportunity of historic proportions.

Your contribution will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The resulting $555 million will directly support immunization campaigns in developing countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyze children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families.

As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high.

See the International End Polio Now website for more information.