Five Avenues of Service - Overview

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The Object of Rotary is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise.”  Rotary is a service organization.  Since 1910, the Rotary Motto has been “Service Above Self.”

Rotary strives to achieve it’s objective of “Service Above Self” through activities in four primary areas.  These are often referred to as the Four Avenues of Service.

Club Service

This “Avenue” promotes the development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service.  It involves the activities necessary to make the Club function successfully and achieve its goals.

Click here to find out more about Club Service at Aurora Rotary.

Vocational Service

This area represents the opportunity that each Rotarian has to represent the dignity and utility of one’s vocation as an opportunity to serve society.  Rotarians promote and foster high ethical standards in business and professions and promote the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations.

Click here to find out more about Vocational Service at Aurora Rotary.

Community Service

This “Avenue” relates to the activities that Rotarians undertake to improve the quality of life in their community.  Particular emphasis is given to helping children, needy families, the aged, the handicapped, and those most in need of assistance.  Rotarians strive to promote the ideal of service in their personal, business, and community lives.

Click here to find out more about Community Service at Aurora Rotary.

International Service

In this area, Rotarians strive for the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.  International Service Projects are designed to meet the humanitarian needs of people in many lands, with particular emphasis on the most underprivileged children and families in developing countries.

Click here to find out more about International Service at Aurora Rotary.

New Generations Service   Under Construction

The commitment to getting youth and young adults actively involved in Rotary was strengthened in April when representatives at the Council on Legislation approved New Generations as the fifth Avenue of Service.  Read more.

RI President Ray Klinginsmith says the new Avenue of Service improves the value of youth programs and their impact on Rotary's future. 

"The Council wanted to be sure New Generations programs were given adequate attention by clubs," says Klinginsmith. "Rotarians just want to be up front and recognize the importance of these programs. New Generations isn't just important to the future of Rotary but also our communities and the world." 

New Generations Service acknowledges the positive change implemented by youth and young adults involved in leadership development activities, community and international service, and exchange programs that enrich and foster world peace and cultural understanding. Programs include RYLA, Rotaract, Interact, and Rotary Youth Exchange. 

"We truly have the finest youth programs in the world," says Klinginsmith. "Their intrinsic value continues to escalate. We do a great job with these programs, we just need to give them more visibility." 

Information on this page came from the following sources:

The Object of Rotary page on the Rotary International web site

The ABCs of Rotary by Clifford L. Dochterman, published by Rotary International.