Rotary Basics
What Is Rotary?
Rotary is where community, friendship, and service come together.
Rotary is an international civic organization made up of people who want to make a difference — in their own communities and around the world.
Here in Ankeny, that means rolling up our sleeves for local service projects, supporting organizations doing important work, learning more about our community, building friendships, and having some fun along the way.
Local Heart. Global Reach.
Ankeny Evening Rotary is one small part of a worldwide Rotary network.
Locally, we:
- Serve alongside community organizations
- Support projects that make Ankeny stronger
- Learn from local leaders, businesses, and nonprofits
- Build friendships and connections
- Create opportunities to get involved in meaningful ways
Around the world, Rotary members work together on issues such as:
- Fighting disease
- Supporting clean water and sanitation
- Improving education and literacy
- Supporting mothers and children
- Growing local economies
- Promoting peace
Who Are Rotarians?
Rotarians come from all kinds of backgrounds, professions, and stages of life.
You do not need a certain job title, special experience, or a long list of credentials. What matters most is a willingness to connect, serve, and help make your community a little better.
Service Above Self
Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self.
To us, that doesn’t mean doing everything. It simply means looking for opportunities to use your time, talents, ideas, and connections to help others.
Sometimes that looks like a big community project.
Sometimes it’s showing up for a few hours.
Sometimes it’s introducing people who can help each other.
And sometimes it’s simply asking, “What can we do?”
That’s Rotary.