Rotary has an amazing number of sub-organizations, programs and initiatives. They usually end up being named something that almost always turns into an acronym. So, for those who get a little overwhelmed with the sheer number of Rotary acronyms, thanks to Past President Allen Horrell, we hereby present his collated list of Rotary acronyms... also available here:
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| 3H | Health, Hunger and Humanity |
| 3-H GRANTS | Health, hunger and humanity - Grants of US$100k to $500K for multi- year international projects and social development |
| ACRE | Australian Campaign for Rabbit Eradication |
| ADG | Assistant District Governor (incorrect – see AG) |
| AG | Assistant Governor - One of a number of senior Rotarians appointed by District Governor (DG) to assist with administration of a group of clubs in that year |
| AIDAB | Australian International Development Assistance Bureau – Now called AusAid. |
| Alumni | District and Club Groups - Association of former members of Group Study Exchange teams (GSE), Scholars and other Foundation programmes |
| Ambassadorial Scholars | An international programme of Rotary Foundation - Enables men and women to spend an academic year abroad in university level or vocational studies |
| ANZO | The abbreviation of our Rotary Region - Australia, New Zealand, Oceania. |
| ANZSE | Australia New Zealand Study Exchange |
| ARH | Australian Rotary Health - A multi-District project approved by RI to seek public donations in support of health research within Australia. Previously ARHRF. |
| ARHRF | Australian Rotary Health Research Fund - A multi-District project approved by RI to seek public donations in support of health research within Australia. |
| AVAC | Australian Vocational Advisory Committee |
| Board of a Rotary Club | The governing body of a Rotary club expected to meet monthly - Consists of President, Vice President(s), President Elect, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Directors and others as the By-Laws shall provide |
| CAP | Community Assistance Program |
| Carl P Miller Discovery Grant | RI Foundation grant up to US$3000 for travel, research of an international service project - To be used by a Rotarian or group thereof who have a written invitation from club in host country who will offer home-hosting |
| Catalogue | List of all major publications, supplies etc available from RI - Supplementary updates issued annually in July Contains order forms to send to NSW Branch Office of RI (Gratis) |
| Centurion | A Rotarian who commits to a $AU100 donation pa to TRF. |
| Charter Member | The original members of a newly chartered club - Identified with a special lapel badge |
| Classification | A principal concept to assure each Rotary club represents cross section of business/professions - Describes the distinct and recognised business or professional service which the Rotarian renders to society (Not position held) |
| Club and District Changeovers | A mainly formal event held annually just prior to a new Rotary year and includes partners - Formal changeover to new President and team of incoming Officers/Directors and provides a review of past year achievements and activities |
| Club Banner | A small flag expressive of the community, country or region of a club - Commonly used to present to visitors or exchange with clubs visited throughout the world |
| Club Charter | A document issued when a new club is admitted to Membership in RI - Signed by RI Pres, General Secretary and DG Date thereon represents date of official membership Framed and preserved |
| Club Committees | The "action" groups within a club - Comprise standing committees under the 5 Avenues of Service plus others approved by the Board Each headed by a Director, with Deputy and committee members |
| Club Forum | Formal meeting of an entire club - Called to inform members about service activities and progress of projects Also an opportunity for members to air views |
| Club Secretary’s Manual | Issued by RI to each incoming Club Secretary - Contains procedures and guides to dates and secretarial functions etc |
| Club Task Allocation | List of essential tasks allocated to members - Enables spread of administrative and essential tasks to ensure effective outcomes List available from Secretary |
| CLP | Club Leadership Plan |
| CMS | Citation for Meritorious Service |
| COG | Council of Governors - A District committee of Past DG’s who convene to give advice to the current DG on programmes, policies and procedures |
| COM | Council of Management |
| COL | Council On Legislation - The legislative body of Rotary International - Composed of one delegate from each Rotary District that meet each 3 years to consider proposed changes to the Rotary Constitution and Bylaws |
| DAA | Disaster Aid Australia |
| DDF | District Designated Funds |
| DG | District Governor - Directly responsible to the Board of Rotary International (RI) for the supervision of clubs within a designated district |
| DGD | District Governor-Designate (DG next+2 Rotary Year) |
| DGE | District Governor-Elect (DG next Rotary Year) |
| DGN | District Governor-Nominee (DG next+1 Rotary Year) |
| DGND | District Governor Nominee Designate – What is this??? |
| DIK | Donations-in-kind - Supplies of donated educational and medical equipment available to serve a need in the developing world |
| DIN | Donations-in-Kind Information Network (Not DIKIN) |
| District Conference | Annual event for members and partners - Held annually in each District to further the programmes of Rotary through fellowship, inspiring speakers and recognition of club activities etc |
| DLT | District Leadership Team - Approved by RI to begin 1/1/1997 An enhanced organisational structure in a District to enable cost-effective growth and faster, more responsive support to clubs by appointment of Assistant Governors |
| DLP | District Leadership Plan |
| DRFC | District Rotary Foundation Committee |
| DRR | District Rotaract Representative |
| DSA | Distinguished Service Award |
| DSG | District Simplified Grants |
| DT | District Trainer |
| FARG | Foundation Alumni Resource Group. |
| Fellowship | A major club function - Promotes acquaintance among members through participation in clubs recreational and social activities |
| Five Avenues of Service | Club Service; Vocational Service; Community Service; International Service and New Generations (Youth!). |
| Founder of Rotary | Refers to Paul P Harris - Organised the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905 Born 19 April 1868 died 27 January 1947 |
| Four Avenues of Service(Now FIVE) | Now Five Avenues of Service with the addition of New Generations. The major elements of the "Object of Rotary" - Term used to refer to Club Service; Vocational Service; Community Service and International Service. New Generations was and is unofficially known as "Youth Service". |
| Friendship Club | A less formal agreement that may lead to Sister Club status after a trial period - As above but less demanding of mutual co-operation until proper communication lines and philosophy is established |
| Functional Literacy Programme | An RI programme since 1992 - To meet the needs of adults deemed to be functionally illiterate and to promote support for reading, writing skills through community Literacy centres |
| GETS | Governor-Elect Training Seminar |
| GNG | Global Networking Groups |
| GSE | Group Study Exchange |
| GSE Team | Group Study Exchange Team Programme of Rotary Foundation of RI - A cultural and Educational exchange of young non-Rotarian professionals which promotes international understanding through travel and personal contact Usually once annually for duration of 4 to 5 weeks under Rotary leadership |
| Helping Grants | Up to US$15K based on 2:1 match of club or district contributions - For projects in a country other than that of the sponsor where Rotary participation is not possible |
| Honorary Member | Recognition of a past member or non-Rotarian - Persons who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals. Not a member for RI purposes. |
| ICUFR | International Computer Users Fellowship of Rotarians, a Rotary International Fellowship. http://www.icufr.org/ |
| IFYR | International Fellowship of Yachting Rotarians |
| Inner Wheel | An international organisation of women - A Rotary sponsored service group open to wives, widows of present and past Rotarians. |
| Interact | Interaction between youth and service - World-wide Rotary sponsored group of young people dedicated to service and International understanding and is open to students in their last 4 years of secondary education |
| International Assembly | An annual assembly of District Governor Nominees held in Anaheim, US in Feb/Mar - To educate, instruct and inspire DGNs and adoption of RI theme and new programmes of RI |
| International Convention | World-wide gathering of all Rotarians and partners - Held usually in May in a different country chaired by RI President |
| INTERPLAST | International Plastic Surgery Programme - Established by District 9800 in 1980 and sends teams of volunteer surgeons and nurses to developing countries to operate on deformities, burns etc. |
| IPAC | International Projects Advisory Committee - A national committee to update registry of international projects identified as suitable for support by clubs |
| IPDG | Immediate Past District Governor |
| IPEC | International Polio Eradication Committee |
| IPP | Immediate Past President |
| IPPC | International PolioPlus Committee |
| LOA | Leave of Absence. Upon written request to the Club Board - May be granted to excuse member from meetings for a specified length of time but does not operate to give credit for attendance (See Make-Ups) |
| LYTE | Long Term Youth Exchange |
| Make-Ups | Making up of attendance at meetings or another Rotary Club or District meeting - A card is obtained from the visited club in order that credit for attendance is gained Make-ups can be within 14 days prior to or following the normal meeting |
| Matching Grants | Up to US$50K that match club contributions - For projects involving Clubs in 2 or more countries for humanitarian service |
| Membership Identification Card | Used by member to verify current membership (CD3-420-EN) - Issued by Club Secretary upon payment of annual dues Shows expiry date of year end |
| MOP | Manual of Procedure - A reference manual for Rotary Leaders updated each 3 years Contains policies & procedures for club and RI administration |
| MUNA | Model United Nations Assembly - An international youth project that simulates the workings of the United Nations Usually held annually for 2 days in March |
| NCC | National Coordinating Committees (of RAWCS) |
| NESS | National Engineering Summer School |
| NID | National Immunization Days |
| NPF | National Project Funding |
| NYSF | National Youth Science Forum - A programme sponsored by Rio Tinto to enable select secondary science students to attend a science forum annually |
| Object of Rotary | A statement from the Rotary Constitution - The object is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise |
| OD | Official Directory: A RI publication - Issued by RI annually containing list of all clubs, names and addresses of all Presidents, Secretaries, time and place of meetings etc Available from Club Sec |
| OL | Operation Livewire: A vocational programme in Australia - Sponsored by Shell Australia to encourage young people aged 18-25 to establish their own business Rotarians act as mentors |
| ORK | Orphan Rescue Kit |
| PACE | Pacific-Australia Cultural Exchange |
| PAG | Past Assistant Governor |
| PAL | Promote Adult Literacy |
| PDG | Past District Governor |
| PE | President-Elect |
| PEDS | Presidents Elect Designates Seminar |
| Peer Support Foundation | Non-profit group founded 1971 with Rotary support - Operates in most state primary and secondary schools to offer leadership training for senior students who in turn assist integration of new students |
| PEPS | Presidents Elect Preparatory Seminar |
| Per Capita Dues | Dues each club pays to RI for each active, senior active and past service member - Payable semi-annually on 1 July and 1 January at current rate of exchange notified by RI |
| PETS | Presidents Elect Training Seminar - Held annually for incoming Presidents and partners to be trained in the administration of their club and to develop challenging projects and programmes |
| PHF | Paul Harris Fellow - A form of recognition for financial or meritorious service to the Foundation or to the community generally |
| PHF with Sapphire | Supplementary recognition to above PHF - A special recognition gold pin with blue stone to represent additional financial contribution or meritorious service |
| PHS | Paul Harris Society |
| PHSM | Paul Harris Sustaining Member - Recognises financial contributions to the Foundation in increments - Recognises individuals who have made contributions in instalments up to US$1000 |
| Polio Plus | An international programme of Rotary Foundation - To protect all of the world’s children from poliomyelitis through national immunisation days, laboratory networks and reporting of suspected cases |
| Project Volunteers | Teams of from 2 to 6 volunteers visit for 2 to 4 weeks to developing countries to provide skills training and assistance. This is one of the programs that comes under the RAWCS umbrella. |
| PP | Past President |
| PPE | Preserve Planet Earth |
| PPRI | Past President Rotary International |
| PRI | President Rotary International |
| PRID | Past Rotary International Director |
| PRIE | President Rotary International Elect |
| PRIP | Past Rotary International President |
| PROBUS | Professional and Business - A Rotary sponsored group for retirees and semi-retired professional and business people Meet monthly |
| Provisional Club | A group organising the formation of a new club - Meets weekly until admitted to membership of Rotary International with a minimum of 25 charter members |
| RA's | Rotary Acronyms |
| RAB | Rotary Acronym Buster – you're reading it! |
| RAGs | Rotary Action Groups |
| RAM | Rotarians Against Malaria - Project to support anti-malaria projects in selected countries in Asia Pacific region |
| RAOAF | Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Fund |
| RAWCS | Rotary Australia World Community Services Ltd - A public company formed 1987 to co-ordinate and authorise the various international activities within Districts. Programs that come under RAWCS include Project Volunteers, RAM, SWSL and DIK. |
| RC | Rotary Club |
| RCC | Rotary Community Corps |
| RCD | Rotary Club Director |
| RCP | Rotary Code of Policies |
| RDU | Rotary Down Under |
| RFE | Rotary Friendship Exchange |
| RFFA | Rotarians For Fighting AIDS |
| RI | Rotary International |
| RIBI | Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland |
| RID | Rotary International Director |
| RIDE | Rotary International Director Elect |
| RIF | Relief Institution Fund - A District disaster relief fund to which clubs can contribute to alleviate distress from natural disasters occurring within Australia |
| RIF | Rotary International Foundation |
| RIMC | Rotary International Membership Coordinator |
| RINO | Rotarian in name only (also known as Knife and Forker) |
| RIP | Rotary International President |
| RIPA | Rotary International President's Ambassador |
| RIPE | Rotary International President Elect |
| RIPR | Rotary International President Representative |
| RITS | Rotary International Travel Service |
| RLI | Rotary Leadership Institute - The Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a series of fast-paced, interactive, one-day courses offered to refine a Rotarian's leadership skills and increase their base of knowledge in Rotary. |
| RNN | Rotary News Network |
| ROAR | Rotary Organization of Amateur Radio |
| ROBIN | Rotary Native Bird Nest-box Project |
| ROMAC | Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children - Established by District 9800 in 1984 and is expanding Statewide and interstate Finances medical aid and operations in Australian hospitals for children up to age 15 brought from South East Asia and Pacific Region |
| ROMEO | Rotary Old Men, Eating Only |
| ROTA | Rotary Overseas Travel Award |
| ROTI | Rotarians On The Internet - A Rotary International Fellowship - http://www.roti.org/ |
| ROTARACT | A Rotary sponsored service group - For young people aged 18 to 30 who meet each two weeks to foster service to the local and international community |
| ROTARTANK | Rotary Water Tanks - Established by District 9800 to supply and install portable fresh water tanks by Rotary Project Volunteers in neighbouring countries. |
| Rotary | Founded 1905 by Paul Harris in Chicago US - An organisation of business and professional persons united world-wide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world |
| Rotary Club Flag | The official flag of Rotary with emblem and club name - For display at club and district assemblies |
| Rotary Down Under (RDU) | The official Rotary magazine for the South West Pacific region - Distributed monthly to clubs or by post to Rotarians address Subscription is compulsory |
| Rotary Emblem | An emblem representing "civilisation and movement" - A gear wheel with 6 spokes, 24 cogs, in colours of royal blue and gold A key was added in 1923 to signify the wheel was a "worker" not an "idler" |
| Rotary Foundation | A philanthropic Trust - A not-for-profit corporation whose activities extend world-wide to achieve world understanding and peace. Also known as TRF. |
| Rotary Themes or Mottos | Official slogans adopted annually by RI President - A theme which changes yearly to reflect the philosophy and programmes for the year. The Principal motto that remains constant is "Service Above Self" since 1989 |
| Rotary Village Corps | Not common in Australia but wide spread in US - Self-help groups of non-Rotarians sponsored by Rotary Clubs to improve community living conditions |
| Rotary Volunteers | A local and overseas volunteer programme - Teams of from 2 to 6 volunteers visit for 2 to 4 weeks to developing countries to provide skills training and assistance. Also known as Project Volunteers. |
| Rotary Volunteers Programme | Voluntary overseas service - Facilitates placement of volunteers and may cover some expenses of those serving abroad for 28 days or more |
| ROTEX | Organisation of Ex-Rotary Exchange Students |
| ROTOPLAST | Rotoplast International is a non-profit, humanitarian organization founded in 1992 as a world community service project of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, that provides free plastic surgery for children in the third world. |
| ROVE | Rotary Overseas Vocational Exchange - A programme to encourage vocational exchanges of up to 12 weeks |
| RRFC | Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator |
| RRVF | Rotary Recreational and Vocational Fellowships |
| Rtn. | Rotarian |
| RYDA | Roadsafe Youth Driver Awareness |
| RYLA | Rotary Youth Leadership Award - An interactive, experientially-based leadership conference offered in the last week of November each year. |
| RYEP | Rotary Youth Exchange Program |
| RYPEN | Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment - A programme of weekend seminars for young people aged 14 to 17 years Two seminars are held in October and March. |
| RYWELL | Rotary Youth Wellbeing |
| SHARE | Share (RF distribution of funds) |
| SRT | ShelterBox Response Team |
| Sister Club | Relationship agreement between clubs in other Countries/districts - To foster better understanding and fellowship exchange and mutual support and co-operation on humanitarian projects |
| SSE | Summer Science Experience |
| Southwest Pacific Service Centre | Office of RI based in Parramatta, NSW - Serves Rotary clubs and Districts in Australia, NZ and Pacific Islands |
| SRCC | Standard Rotary Club Constitution |
| Standard Club Constitution | Originally adopted in 1922 - Provides the framework for all clubs in the world and is a condition to receiving a charter |
| STYE | Short Term Youth Exchange |
| SWSL | Safe Water Save Lives - Project teams of up to 3 weeks to funding and assisting install fresh clean water tanks and dams in overseas communities |
| TARFT | The Australian Rotary Foundation Trust - A trust funds that offers Rotarians and corporations etc a tax free deduction on donations to the Rotary Foundation |
| The 4-Way Test | A measure for Rotarians of conduct and thinking –
|
| The Rotarian | "The Rotarian". A monthly magazine put out by Rotary International with articles, news and views in a number of languages. |
| The Rotary World | An RI publication - Three copies sent bi-monthly to all club presidents direct from RI (I don't recall ever having seen one) |
| Theme Months | Focus in various months on major activities - Gives specific attention to Membership (August) Youth (Sept) Vocational (Oct) Foundation (Nov) Awareness (Jan) World Understanding (Feb) Magazine (April) Rotaract Week (Mar) |
| TLA | Three Letter Acronym |
| TR | The Rotarian (RI magazine, which you can receive instead of RDU if you so choose) |
| TRF | The Rotary Foundation |
| WCS | World Community Service |
| WFA | World Fellowship Activities |
| World Fellowship Committee | An international programme - For the many groups of Rotarians sharing common sporting & vocational interest and encourages reciprocal visits to other countries where home-hosted |
The Regions of Rotary International
| Acronym | Description |
|---|---|
| ANZO | Australia, New Zealand and other places not included in any other region |
| ASIA | Asia |
| CEEMA | Continental European, Eastern Mediterranean and African zone |
| GBI | Great Britain and Ireland |
| SACAMA | South America (except Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana), Central America, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking island nations of the Caribbean (except Puerto Rico) |
| USCB | United States of America, Canada, Bermuda and Puerto Rico |
