I get asked this all the time. No we don’t have funny hats, no we don’t carry swords (although that would be really cool!) and no there 
are not any mini cars or motorcycles (again, it would be cool!)
In this month’s The Rotarian magazine Susie Ma asked different Rotarians what their talking points are in less than 1 minute :
ANNE L MATTHEWS, Rotary Foundation trustee, USA
Rotary is the most prestigious nonpolitical, nonsectarian service organization in the world. It’s a little over 100 years old. Our purpose as Rotarians is to promote peace and understanding through a wide array of educational and humanitarian programs under the auspices of The Rotary Foundation. The heart and soul of the Foundation is to help people who are less fortunate all over the world.
JOHN F. GERM, Rotary Foundation trustee vice chair, USA
Rotary is a service organization dedicated to high ethicalstandards and promoting service projects to enhance thelives of people in the community and around the world. The purpose of Rotary is to improve lives through educational and humanitarian programs. Sometimes I take people who want to know more about Rotary to club meetings. I give them a copy of The Rotarian to let them read about what Rotary is doing.
ANTONIO HALLAGE, Rl director, Brazil
Rotary is a worldwide organization of professionals with high ethical standards. We are involved in our communities with professionals and with youth.
WILLIAM B. BOYD, Rotary Foundation trustee chair-elect, past Rl president, New Zealand
We exist to serve people. The best example of this is the polio eradication campaign. A lot of people you meet don’t understand Rotary, so you need to make the point that it is a service organization with an international aspect. When I come through U.S. immigration and tell them I’m here on Rotarian business, they ask me, “Are you coming for business purposes?” say, “No way. I’m a Rotarian. Rotary is a volunteer organization. I don’t get paid to make speeches. and I’m not very good at it anyway.”
KALYAN BANERJEE, Rl president-elect, India
Rotary is a volunteer organization with 1.2 million business and professional leaders from around the world who get together in friendship, provide humanitarian service, and work for peace. They conduct projects to address challenges such as illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns. One of the cornerstones of Rotary is our firm belief in maintaining high ethical standards in our business, professional, and personal lives.
SAMUEL F. OWORI, Rl director, Uganda .
Rotarians believe in helping those who are less fortunate. We make acquaintances with good-quality people, people with good morals, people with influence. In business and professional life, Rotary is a big advantage. You meet people you ordinarily would not meet. You make an impact by promoting peace and understanding. Polio eradication is a big selling point. We need to leave the world a better place than we found it.
EKKEHART PANDEL, Rl director, Germany
In Germany, Rotary is one of the biggest volunteer nonprofit service organizations. We have a lot of diversity in our clubs – diversity in gender, religion, profession, and business. Our worldwide network is very good at reacting to needs in less developed countries. We do many projects in Africa since it is at our front door.
DONG KURN LEE, Rotary Foundation trustee, past Rl president, Korea
Rotary gives you the opportunity to build relationships, but more important, it gives you the opportunity to contribute to society. Rotary means the chance to help those who are less privileged. Weekly meetings allow you to meet with friends, to think about others, and to make donations. Everyone needs this.
