Our lingo
It’s common knowledge that most large international organisations end up having a list of acronyms for projects and intiatives as long as your arm. Well, Rotary International is no exception. We debated adding this page to our website. At first we thought, hmmm could it be intimidating for someone wanting to find out more about what we do, to have a big long list of acronyms. But then we got some community members who didn’t know much about Rotary to take a look at this long list, and we discovered it sparked their curiosity. And some of the acronyms on the list are humorous. For example: ‘ROMEO Rotary Old Men, Eating Only’!
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 minimum of 25 charter members
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
RC Rotary Club
RCC Rotary Community Corps
RCD Rotary Club Director
RCP Rotary Code of Policies
RDU Rotary Down Under
RFFA Rotarians For Fighting AIDS
RI Rotary International - The association of Rotary Clubs of Rotary Clubs throughout the world
RIBI Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland
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
RIP Rotary International President
RIPE Rotary International President Elect
RITS Rotary International Travel Service
RNN Rotary News Network
ROAR Rotary Organization of Amateur Radio
ROBIN Rotary Native Bird Nestbox 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 InternetA 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
Rotary Themes or Mottoes Official slogans adopted annually by RI President - A theme that changes yearly to reflect the philosophy and programs for the year 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 program - Teams of from 2 to 6 volunteers visit for 2 to 4 weeks to developing countries to provide skills training and assistance
Rotary Volunteers Program 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
ROVE Rotary Overseas Vocational Exchange - A program to encourage vocational exchanges of up to 12 weeks
RRFC Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
RRVF Rotary Recreational and Vocational Fellowships
RTN Rotarian
RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Award - A program of a week’s leadership training to assist young people engaged in youth work Seminars held in March/April
RYLA Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
RYE Rotary Youth Exchange
RYPEN Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment - A program of weekend seminars for young people aged 14 to 17 years Two seminars held Oct 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
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 Save 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 - 1 Is it the truth? 2 Is it fair to all concerned? 3 Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4 Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
The Rotary World An RI publication - Three copies sent bi-monthly to all club presidents direct from RI
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)
TR The Rotarian (magazine)
TRF The Rotary Foundation
WCS World Community Service
WFA World Fellowship Activities
World Fellowship Committee An international program - For the many groups of Rotarians sharing common sporting & vocational interest and encourages reciprocal visits to other countries where home-hosted
YEP Youth Exchange Program
Youth Exchange An international youth program of exchange - Reciprocal 12 month secondary school exchanges between students sponsored by local and overseas Districts and clubs