What is a Foundation Benefactor?

Check out our Foundation Benefactors page.

How can I best explain Rotary to non-Rotarians ?

In 1976 the Rotary International Board of Directors was interested in creating a concise definition of the fundamental aspects of Rotary. They turned to the three men who were then serving on Rotary's Public Relations Committee and requested that a one-sentence definition of Rotary be prepared. After numerous drafts, the committee presented this definition, which has been used ever since in various Rotary publications:

"Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world."

Those 31 words are worth remembering when someone asks, "What is Rotary?"

[Source - Past RI President Cliff Dochterman's "The ABCs of Rotary"]

Where can I find the 4-Way Test ?

Where can I find The Object of Rotary?

Where can I find information about the GSE Programme?

You will find details of the GSE Programme (including facilities and links for downloading documents and forms) on our GSE page.

Where can I find the latest Manual Of Procedure (MOP)?

The latest Manual of Procedure is available for download as one rather large pdf file or broken down into sections from the Policy Documents section of the RI web.

Where can I find Matching Grant information and forms?

The RI web site contains all the information and forms that you will ever need - and then some. However, because of the volume of information available, it is not necessarily that easy to find precisely what you are looking for. So we have compiled a few notes and links to assist you. Visit the D9320 Matching Grants page.

What is ROMEX?

ROMEX is the District 9320 Rotary Medical Equipment Exchange. It was formed in 1997/98 by PP Dr Henk Kayser and the Rotary Club of Arcadia in East London. A great variety of items which can be used in hospitals or clinics, hospices, old age homes or are needed by charitable organisations caring for the sick and disabled has been received (and continues to be received) from other countries. Read full details and contact Henk Kayser on our ROMEX page.

Why can I not see the latest D9320 web pages?

The "quick fix" is simply to refresh your browser's page one or more times. For an explanation - read on.

Most web browsers (Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera etc) can maintain a "cache" ("store" in English) of the web pages you have recently accessed. This is done so that should you wish to re-visit the same web page your browser doesn't have to download it all over again - it can simply pull it directly off your own hard disk so that the page can load much more quickly. However, depending upon your browser's cache refreshment settings, this can sometimes mean that you don't always actually get to see the latest available page. If you are using Internet Explorer 6, have a look at Tools->Internet Options->General->Temporary Internet Files->Settings (other browsers should have similar facilities). However, without necessarily fiddling with those settings you can usually overcome the problem by "refreshing" the page a couple of times. You should find your browser's "refresh" button somewhere up on the standard buttons tool bar.

In addition many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) make use of "proxy" servers. These also perform a page "caching" function, and under some circumstances, may also result in the latest page not always being displayed first time. Again, refreshing your browser's page a few times will usually solve the problem.

Of course, this applies to ALL web sites, not merely D9320's.

Tell me all about Rotary Friendship Exchange?

The Rotary Friendship Exchange Program is an activity in which Rotarians and their families carry out reciprocal visits, living for a few days in the homes of Rotarians and their families in other countries. The goal of the program is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through person-to-person contacts across national boundaries.

For more details and all the answers, see our RFE page.

How can I obtain an Online Make-up?
(This FAQ inspired by Brian McLean of Uitenhage South)
(Updated March 2007 - many new e-Clubs are now available)

Spend 30 minutes participating in an interactive activity on a Rotary e-club Web site. Rotary International has approved the request of 27 (as of July 2005) clubs to form with virtual or electronic locations. A visit to one of these e-clubs may satisfy a club member's make-up requirement. Please check with your club secretary and the e-club of interest to see if this online visit counts.

The original eClub is Rotary e-Club One but there are now many more - in a variety of languages. Download and print a list of available e-clubs. Clicking on one of the clubs shown on this list will take you directly to the appropriate web page. Even if you don't actually need to do a make-up right now, you will surely benefit from the experience.

How do I apply for a Paul Harris Recognition?

You need to download, complete and submit the form "The Rotary Foundation Recognition/Contribution" form (123-EN) from the Foundation Fund Development section of the RI web site.

However, if you or your club wishes to simply recognise an individual utilising contributions already made, then it is simpler to use a "Recognition and Transfer Request" form (102-EN) - to be found lower down on the same page..

If you wish to review/print your club's current status with regard to Foundation contributions, you can find this information in RI's Member Access area - View Club Recognition Summaries.

Where can I find out about Probus Clubs?

Right here on the D9320 web. Our thanks to PP Rod McCarthy

Where can I learn more about the numerous Rotary Fellowships?

The Rotary Fellowships program is a structured program of Rotary International that comprises more than 75 independent fellowships. Join the growing number of Rotarians who are sharing their favorite activities and professional interests through organized recreational, vocational, and health/medical-related groups within Rotary.

From Amateur Radio to Yachting, from Accountants to Travel Agents, Rotary Fellowships reflect the varied interests and occupations of Rotarians worldwide. Although objectives differ, all fellowships share the same philosophy and foundation. The fellowships are organized by Rotarians for Rotarians to develop new friendships and to advance opportunities for service.

Visit RI's Rotary Fellowships pages to learn more.

How can I find Public Relations information on the RI web?

The easiest way to to click on this direct link.

How can I use RI's Members' on-line administration facility?
(This FAQ inspired by Noel Knickelbein of Beacon Bay)

RI currently provides facilities for doing most, if not all of the administrative work on-line. How much you're allowed to do depends upon who you are. For example, Secretaries are allowed to do far more than ordinary Rotarians.

But first you must register with RI - a fairly straightforward procedure. To register, you will be required to provide RI with a valid email address, and possibly with some additional information if they ask for it. Once they have identified you as a bona fide Rotarian they will send you an email confirmation with a link back to their web so that you can finish the registration process. Once the registration process is complete (and it normally takes only minutes) you will be able to login to the Member Access area of the RI web with your email address and a password.

If you have questions concerning the mechanics of using RI's members' on-line facilities, you will find a pretty comprehensive FAQ page (including items such as "How do I add a new member?")

How do I go about downloading files, images and other things?

You'll find some fairly detailed Download Tips at the bottom of our Downloads page.

What are Mini-Grants and how can we apply for one?

You'll find details at our D9320 Mini-Grants page.