As People of Action, we share a strong sense of purpose.
More than a century ago, we pioneered a new model of service leadership grounded in person-to-person connections. Today, those connections are a network that spans the globe—bridging cultural, linguistic, generational, and geographic barriers—and shares the vision of a better world. As People of Action, we understand that fulfilling that vision requires a plan. This is Rotary’s plan for the next five years: to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt........
By helping to realize the goals of this plan, you ensure a stronger and even more effective future for Rotary—a tremendous legacy. Our plan is rooted in our tried-and-true values and builds on the remarkable capabilities and spirit of Rotarians.
It is clear-eyed about the challenges that Rotary and the world face. It protects the value of human connection in an age of technology. It lays out a path for bringing great ideas to the forefront of the global imagination of what’s possible.
And our plan will provide us with a continuity of vision from year to year, keeping us moving toward fulfilling our shared purpose.
This is our Action Plan.
PRIORITY 1: Increase Our Impact
People of Action are effective problem-solvers.
Why do Rotarians achieve so much? We invest in relationships. We make decisions grounded in evidence. We know how to mobilize our networks to create solutions that last. And we’re always learning from our experiences in projects, clubs, and careers. Throughout the fight to end polio, we’ve shown what we can do when we draw on our collective strengths. We’ve created solutions that match the people they serve. We’ve evaluated the results to learn from our successes and setbacks. This is a model we will use again and again in pursuit of our audacious goals: educating the world’s children, ensuring equitable access to water and sanitation, helping local economies grow sustainably, and so much more. Let’s seek out new ways to translate our expertise into making a difference—in our communities and across the globe. Let’s prove that our impact on the world has only just begun.
PRIORITY 2: Expand Our Reach
People of Action activate and inspire one another.
We know that our capacity to make a difference is larger when more people unite with us. We want the world to appreciate our ambitious, compassionate, and inclusive spirit—because when they do, they see that Rotary is the source for the person-to-person involvement so many are seeking. Told widely and emphatically, our stories give people hope that the world can change for the better, inviting listeners to imagine themselves as part of that change, too. Let’s build connections and opportunities that will allow people who share our drive to do the same.
PRIORITY 3: Enhance Participant Engagement
People of Action strive to understand the needs of others.
Just like the people and communities we serve, our participants need to feel seen and heard. They’re seeking experiences that feel personally and professionally relevant and fulfilling. When they see our dedication to investing in them at every stage of their professional life, our participants are eager to go the distance with us—even at a time when there are many other options for networking and volunteering. Let’s recommit to putting the needs, expectations, and growth of our participants at the center of all we do.
People of Action are inventive, entrepreneurial, and resilient.
We’ve shown throughout our history that we excel at finding new ways to lead the world to lasting change. And we’ve proven in our own careers that we know how to help organizations of every kind move forward. That’s why new approaches to our organizing principles don’t threaten our sense of who we are. We’re ready to seek out fresh opportunities, create more paths to leadership, open up our conversations to diverse voices, and simplify how we operate—with confidence. Let’s stay true to ourselves and stay ahead of change in our next 115 years.
Action Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does Rotary have a new Action Plan?
A: The world today is not the same as it was when Rotary began in 1905. Demographics have shifted, the pace of change has accelerated, and technology has created new opportunities for connection and service. What hasn’t changed is a need for the values that define Rotary: fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. With our new plan, we will honor our past and embrace our future. We can evolve and keep Rotary not only relevant but thriving.
Q: How were the new Rotary vision statement and Action Plan developed?
A: Rotary’s new vision statement: Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves was created by using the input and feedback from Rotary members, former members, Rotaractors, alumni, Youth Exchange students, Rotary staff, and the general public. In all, over one million people across the world were asked to share their insights with the Strategic Planning Committee through surveys and focus groups. The result is a statement that inspires and engages while setting the pathway for the future of our organization. The vision was approved by the Rotary Board of Directors and Board of Trustees in June 2017.
Shortly after the vision statement was adopted, the Committee began developing Rotary’s new Action Plan. Again, the Committee invited reactions and input from Rotary members; over 582 people from 28 different countries participated in focus groups and interviews to provide feedback. In June 2018, both boards approved the strategic priorities and objectives that make up the new Action Plan.
Q: What is the Action Plan and how does it affect members?
A: The Action Plan is intended to guide activities at the corporate level, but as clubs and districts are the core of Rotary, they are strongly encouraged to develop their own action plans and align them with Rotary’s new plan. The world is changing rapidly and to continue thriving in the years ahead, Rotary must evolve. This plan is intended to help us honor our past and embrace our future by guiding our organization, members, and supporters toward projects, opportunities, and activities that support our vision.
Q: How will the new Action Plan be rolled out?
A: The new plan is being rolled out throughout the 2019–2020 Rotary year. We are committed to full transparency in sharing information about how the new plan’s components may or may not affect clubs and how they will be asked to support the strategic priorities. Take a look at the main page to learn more about the overall Action Plan and how you can help. In the coming months, you will receive information on additional initiatives being undertaken to achieve the objectives in the plan and how clubs and districts can get involved.
Q: What are clubs and districts supposed to do with the new Action Plan?
A: We want to make sure that all clubs and districts know that this new plan was shaped by the input of Rotary members, and that it lays the foundation for new and exciting opportunities for the organization. Read through the Action Plan on the main page, and think about how you can help Rotary achieve its goals. Encourage your clubs and districts to talk about and share the new plan. Help Rotary members begin to see for themselves how they can be a part of this team effort.
Message from the Strategic Planning Committee:
By Stephanie A. Urchick, chair of Rotary’s Strategic Planning Committee
When we began developing a new strategic plan for Rotary over two years ago, we started by taking a look in the mirror. We asked hard questions as we performed a thorough self-assessment, all the while acknowledging the changing world around us. Once we identified gaps between who we are and who we need and want to be, we looked to you. We asked more than a million people from across the world to share their input with our Strategic Planning Committee through focus groups and surveys. Each goal in our plan is based on feedback from leaders, members, and Rotary participants who want the organization to achieve its vision. Thank you for sharing your passion and insight—we heard you!
Our new strategic plan is different from our past plans. This will be our Action Plan—our organization’s call to action to work together to build a stronger future. This plan will help us realize what’s truly possible when People of Action unite, connect with others who share our values, and commit to creating change in the world and within ourselves.
Our Action Plan is not about wiping away our tradition or tried-and-true core principles. It’s about making our organization stronger so that our values will last for years to come. It’s about using effective tactics to strengthen the organization at all levels. It’s about ensuring that every person who engages with us has a meaningful, valuable and fulfilling experience. It’s about changing more lives and communities for the better.
We are committing ourselves to increasing our impact on the world, expanding our reach, enhancing the experiences and engagement of Rotary participants, and increasing our ability to adapt and be innovative. Over the next several years, we will be exploring, implementing and refining a series of initiatives designed to achieve these goals. While the Action Plan focuses on Rotary International and the corporate-level activities that will drive us toward our vision, much of it also translates to a club and district level.
What does this mean for you? Each club should have the same priorities as the Action Plan. What can you do to help reach these goals? Take into consideration the priorities and ideas in this plan. How can you make your club and the experiences of its members the best it can be?
After considering how your club can have the most impact, use the strategic planning guide as your toolkit. Use the priorities and tips to develop your own plan of action, align with our priorities and support our shared goals. Tailor your plan so that it is the most effective for your club and engages your members and the members of your community. We will be audacious and innovative in how we implement Rotary’s Action Plan and we encourage you to be the same.
You helped build this Action Plan and we will use it to strengthen Rotary so that together, we can act boldly to help make the world better for generations to come.