An association of some 30,000 autonomous clubs in more than 160 countries, Rotary International is one of the world's largest service organizations. The goal for a club's membership is an up-to-date and progressive representation of the community's business, vocational, and professional interests.

An important distinction between Rotary and other organizations is that membership in Rotary is by invitation. Rotary clubs invite individuals to join and become members.

Membership is vital to a Rotary club's operations and community service activities. A primary goal of the club is to continually expand the club with committed members who have the interest and ability to get involved in service and humanitarian projects. Prospective members must:

hold — or be retired from — a professional, proprietary, executive, or managerial position;

have the capacity to meet the club's weekly attendance or community project participation requirements;

live or work within the locality of the club or the surrounding area.