Service projects and activities fall into a number of distinctive categories. Community Service is the traditional and well-known face of Rotary service which involves the provision of help and advice to youth, the aged, the handicapped, the infirm and all those in need either directly or through local charitable organisations. Environmental awareness is also a subject of increasing concern to the movement.
A Rotarian can also serve the community through his / her "vocation". In its simplest form, this means dealing fairly with employees, employers, customers, clients and competitors. It also requires the maintenance of the highest possible ethical standards in his / her vocation. It can also involve other activities such as the provision of vocational information for young people leaving school.
Service in the community worldwide, or International Service, covers a large number of activities. At its simplest it can consist of helping to provide an eye camp in India, or a vocational training school for young orphans in East Africa.
But, important as these projects are, from a Rotary point of view they form only part of a specific programme designed to contribute to the furtherance of international understanding. Rotarians believe that practical progress towards international understanding, goodwill and peace can usefully be made through their world fellowship of business and professionals united in service.
Rotarians differ widely in race, creed and customs, but when they are brought together in fellowship, they can play an important part in breaking down national prejudices and developing true international understanding.
Another activity of Rotary International designed to further international understanding is the Rotary Foundation, Rotary's only corporate charitable fund. This provides an opportunity for young people and others to visit and study in a country other than their own and thereby to improve understanding between nations.
This is an outward-looking programme, as under the terms of the Foundation, these young people may not be Rotarians or the close relatives of Rotarians. It also administers the 3-H Fund, which seeks to alleviate the problems of the disadvantaged throughout the world under the three headings of Health, Hunger and Humanity.
Many millions of pounds are spent each year on Rotary Foundation programmes worldwide.