Service, leadership & friendship
A Rotary-sponsored service club for young adults — building skills, serving communities, and promoting international understanding through friendship and service.
“Rotaract” stands for Rotary in Action.
Founded in 1968 by Rotary International, Rotaract is a service club for young adults. Today there are more than 7,500 clubs in some 156 countries, with over 173,000 members worldwide. Clubs are community- or university-based and sponsored by a local Rotary club — true “partners in service” and key members of the Rotary family.
Through Rotaract, young adults grow their knowledge and skills while addressing the physical and social needs of their communities — promoting international understanding and peace through a framework of friendship and service.
Three areas, one balance
Every Rotaract club blends professional development, leadership development, and service — for a well-rounded program and real personal growth.
Professional Development
Expanding members’ understanding of the work environment and the business opportunities in their community.
- Professional and vocational forums
- Management and marketing seminars
- Business and professional ethics
- Finance and start-up guidance
Leadership Development
Making members more effective leaders — in their own lives and in building strong clubs with relevant projects.
- Public speaking & communication
- Building consensus among members
- Delegation and follow-up
- Project publicity & promotion
Service Projects
“Service Above Self.” Every club completes at least two major projects a year — one community, one international.
- Community service initiatives
- International service projects
- Addressing hunger, literacy & more
- Most or all members involved
What we’re working toward
- Develop professional and leadership skills
- Promote ethical standards and the dignity of all useful occupations
- Address the needs and concerns of our community and our world
- Work in cooperation with our sponsoring Rotary club
- Encourage young people toward eventual membership in Rotary
Rooted in the birthplace of Rotary
The Rotaract Club of Chicago, founded in 1992, is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chicago (The Rotary/One Foundation) — the very first Rotary club in the world.
Paul Harris founds the first Rotary club in downtown Chicago.
Rotary International launches Rotaract for young adults worldwide.
Rotary/One sponsors the Rotaract Club of Chicago.
A worldwide network of 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders.
With over 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries, Rotary is nonpolitical, nonreligious, and open to all. Rotarians provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and build goodwill and peace. The motto: Service Above Self.
Ending polio, together
All Rotarians are united in the campaign to eradicate polio worldwide. Since the 1980s, Rotary has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars — and an army of volunteers — toward a polio-free world.
Come say hi
We gather for socials, service projects, and roundtables across Chicago. New faces are always welcome — reach out and we’ll point you to the next one.
Make it your club
Join a community of young Chicagoans serving, leading, and having a great time doing it.
Become a member