About Rotary
Famous Rotarians
What is Rotary?
Rotary is you.
The Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
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The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
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High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
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The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life;
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The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
Areas of Focus
The 4-way test
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do
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Is it the TRUTH?
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Is it FAIR to all concerned?
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Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
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Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
History of Rotary Clubs in Hong Kong
The first Rotary Club of Hong Kong continues to work for peace in your community.
The Rotary Club of Hong Kong (香港扶輪社) was created by the third Vice-President of rotary International, James W. Davidson
(禮密臣). The Club was admitted to Rotary International on 20 February 1931.
In its history, the Club provided clinics, amenities and training opportunities for the underprivileged, supported other charitable organisations, and provided scholarships to help prospective scholars. The Club’s list of achievements is long and impressive.
The Club still exists today. It is currently one of many similar Rotary Clubs that together form District 3450 of Rotary International.
District 3450: Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia, and the Guangdong Province of PRC
District 3450 of Rotary international comprises Rotary Clubs in Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia, and the Guangdong Province of the People’s Republic of China.
The District has carried out numerous humanitarian projects, saving and improving lives across the region. Two of the projects are:
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The “Hepatitis B Immunisation” project – Rotarians of District 3450 helped vaccinate one million newborn babies against Hepatitis B within 10 years’ time;
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The Leprosy Project – Rotarians work to eradicate leprosy from villages in Sichuan Province, serving nearly 1,700 villagers.
Today, the district continues to bring humanitarian aid to people in need to embody the motto of "Service Above Self". Their most recent work is providing supplies to the underprivileged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Did you know the first person to sign the Charter of the UN was a Rotarian?
Chinese Rotarian from Shanghai Dr V.K. Wellington KOO (顧維鈞博士), the longest-serving diplomat of the Republic of China, and three-time Ambassador to the United States, was the first person to sign on the Charter of the United Nations on 6 June 1945.
Rotary and the United Nations have long worked together for a more peaceful world. Today, Rotary holds the highest consultative status possible with the Unite Nations as a non-governmental organization.
The birth of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and cultural Organisation (“UNESCO”) was brought about by the Rotarians from 21 countries who organised the Rotary conference in London in 1942, focusing on education, science and culture in preparation of the post-war period. Ever since then, UNESCO has been in close partnership with Rotary.
In one of the first joint projects, UNESCO worked with Rotary in identifying and awarding social service and educational leader in war-torn countries.
Both UNESCO and Rotary defend education for all regardless of race, gender, beliefs and cultures. They advocate for the protection and diversity of cultures, and for dialogue as a source of tolerance and mutual respect. They also believe in and work for a sustainable development.
Today, UNESCO and rotary are working together more closely than ever, collaborating in various areas including clean water, improving literacy and sanitation.