News & Stories

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work… Read the full story: Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to… Read the full story: History of Women in Rotary

In early 1919, Rotarian Roger Pinneo of Seattle, Washington, USA, traveled to the Philippines to try to organize a Rotary club in Manila. Leon J. Lambert, a Manila business leader helped Pinneo establish the club. Several months later, on 1 June 1919, the Rotary Club of Manila was chartered and became the first Rotary club in Asia. The club would be the only one in the country for more than… Read the full story: First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia

An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick. This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year. The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic… Read the full story: Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic

Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do… Read the full story: Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. by Brad Webber 31 Jul 2026 United States After a popular home improvement show turned its cameras on Sebring, the small city in south central Florida saw an influx of tourists seeking to experience the bucolic charms depicted in HGTV’s Home Town Takeover program. There was just one problem: The area lacked a… Read the full story: Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026

Pandya, a surgeon from Mumbai and past Rotary International director and Foundation trustee, has been chosen to lead Rotary in 2028-29. by Etelka Lehoczky 3 Aug 2026 Bharat Pandya, a member of the Rotary Club of Borivli, Mumbai, India, is the selection of the nominating committee for Rotary International president for 2028-29. He will officially become the president-nominee on 15 September if there are no other challenging candidates. Read the full story: India’s Bharat Pandya selected to be 2028-29 Rotary International President

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Phasellus elementum justo non odio faucibus tincidunt. Vivamus elementum justo ut diam tincidunt blandit. Sed vel congue nisi. Ut sagittis pretium facilisis. Curabitur nec est ut augue fermentum maximus vel id lacus. Nulla nec lacus felis. Praesent ut vulputate leo. Interdum et malesuada fames ac ante ipsum primis in faucibus. Phasellus non sodales tortor, non suscipit mauris. Ut tempus risus posuere, porta… Read the full story: District Awards 2026 recipients