Rotary Clubs

Russian entrepreneurs learn about Rotary and start Rotary Clubs when they return home

Rotary International, headquartered in the Evanston, Illinois is the world's largest service organization of business and professional men and women. Founded in 1905, Rotary currently has more than 1.2 million members with some 31,000 Rotary Clubs in 166 countries. With its motto, "Service Above Self," Rotary provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.

The Center for Citizen Initiatives is deeply grateful to work with Rotary International on the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP). PEP and Rotary share in the aspirations of the new generation of Russians who strongly desire the opportunity to create and build a more equitable and democratic Russia. PEP not only works to improve the lives of Russia's entrepreneurs and their families, but also provides Rotarians a unique opportunity to impart Rotary's values while forging lasting relationships with Russian citizens.

Since PEP's creation in 1995, more than 500 Rotary Clubs in 45 states have hosted Russian delegations. PEP is a ready-made, hands-on international and vocational service project that caters to Rotary's mission of advancing international understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotarians from California to Maine have hosted PEP groups in such industries as banking, advertising, construction and private medical clinics. PEP also elevates awareness towards the positive work of Rotary, thereby working to increase local club memberships.

Building civil society in Russia is an important aim of PEP. Russian delegates are given an introduction to Rotary that shares how they can join or start a Rotary club. The tenets of volunteerism and civic responsibility exhibited by Rotarians makes a lasting impression on PEP's Russian participants. Many of these business leaders return home ready to make a difference in their communities across Russia. In fact, alumni of PEP have helped to charter 25 new Rotary clubs in Russia, while hundreds of others have joined already existing clubs. PEP has proven to be instrumental to building Rotary in Russia.

CCI is proud to join efforts with Rotary in working to help Russian entrepreneurs become more aware of the opportunities Rotary offers them.

Over 80 percent of Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) delegations are hosted by Rotary Clubs throughout the U.S. Members of Rotary Clubs participate in PEP by helping to organize the three-week program, encouraging their business contacts to lead business training sessions, and opening their homes to Russian participants.

In addition, a cadre of Rotarians serves as Volunteer Area Coordinators for PEP. They work closely with CCI Community Outreach Program Officers to introduce PEP to Rotary Clubs and encourage them to host delegations of Russian entrepreneurs in their communities.

For information on Rotary International, visit their website at www.rotary.org.