The foundations for the Object of Rotary are fellowship and ethical behaviour, and the value of vocation and international understanding.

First formulated in 1910 and adapted through the years as Rotary’s mission expanded, the Object of Rotary provides a succinct definition of the organisation’s purpose as well as the club member’s responsibilities.

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• First - The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• Second - High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• Third - The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
• Fourth - The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.