By Rtn Ruby Agarwal, Regal Secretary & President-Elect, Rotary Club of Organ Donation International
What is Rotary?
Rotary is much more than a club, a meeting, or a membership. Rotary is a global family of people who come together with a shared passion—to make a difference and improve lives.
Today, Rotary has more than 1.2 million members, over 35,000 clubs, and a presence in more than 220 countries and geographical areas. Yet, despite this enormous global network, Rotary begins with something very simple—people coming together to serve their communities.
The story of Rotary began on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, when Paul Harris, a young attorney, brought together professionals from different backgrounds. His idea was simple yet visionary: create a place where people could build meaningful relationships, exchange ideas and, most importantly, use their relationships, knowledge and skills for service.
That vision grew into a worldwide movement.
Rotary’s guiding motto is:
“Service Above Self.”
These three words beautifully capture the spirit of Rotary—putting service, humanity and the greater good above personal interests.
The Power of Rotary
Rotary gives us many different avenues through which we can serve. We can contribute within our clubs, through our professions, in our communities and internationally.
Rotary also invests in the next generation through programmes such as Interact, Rotaract, RYLA and Youth Exchange, helping young people develop leadership, confidence, international understanding and a spirit of service.
Rotary’s areas of focus address some of humanity’s most pressing challenges—promoting peace, fighting and preventing disease, providing clean water and sanitation, supporting mothers and children, education, and helping communities develop stronger local economies.
Perhaps one of Rotary’s most inspiring achievements is its fight against polio.
Since 1985, Rotarians have worked alongside governments, health organisations, communities and global partners to help eradicate polio. Rotary’s contribution to the global fight against polio demonstrates what is possible when ordinary people come together with determination, resources and a common purpose.
It teaches us an important lesson:
One person may begin an idea, but a united community can turn that idea into a movement.
You may sometimes ask yourself, “What difference can I make?”
Rotary’s answer is simple: You can make a difference—and when we join hands, that difference can become extraordinary.
Through Rotary, we meet people from different professions, cultures, backgrounds and parts of the world. We develop friendships, leadership and communication skills, learn project management, exchange ideas and, most importantly, discover new opportunities to serve.
And perhaps one of the most beautiful things about Rotary is this:
You do not have to be an expert in everything. If you have a heart that wants to serve, you already possess the most important qualification.
The Four-Way Test
Another beautiful principle that guides Rotarians is the Four-Way Test.
Before we say or do something, we ask:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Imagine applying these four questions not only in Rotary, but also in our personal lives, our professions, our families and our communities.
What a difference that could make.
As Rotarians, we have the privilege of turning our skills into service, our friendships into partnerships, and our good intentions into meaningful action and lasting impact.
⸻
OUR ROTARY LEADERSHIP
For the Rotary Year 2026–27, Rotary International is led by Rtn Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, President of Rotary International.
Our club is part of Rotary International District 3141, which is led during 2026–27 by Rtn Rajan Dua, District Governor.
District 3141 serves the Greater Mumbai and Mulund areas of Maharashtra and comprises approximately 120 Rotary clubs, along with numerous Rotaract and Interact clubs.
Every Rotary year begins on 1 July and ends on 30 June. The District Governor, supported by a team of volunteer Rotarians, coordinates and supports the clubs, encourages new club development, promotes Rotary’s programmes and represents the district within the Rotary structure.
ROTARY CLUB OF ORGAN DONATION INTERNATIONAL
A Rotary Club Built Around the Gift of Life
Rotary Club of Organ Donation International is a unique Rotary initiative built around a cause that transcends geographical, cultural, religious and social boundaries—the gift of life through organ donation.
The Club was founded three years ago by Founder & Charter President Rtn Lal Goel, with a vision of bringing the power, network and reach of Rotary to the cause of organ donation.
What makes our Club particularly special is that it is the first cause-based e-Club dedicated to organ donation, bringing together Rotarians from across India and around the world.
For us, geography is no barrier.
Our members are united not by a common city or location, but by a common cause and a common commitment—to create a stronger culture of organ donation.
Taking the Message Beyond Boundaries
Our meetings reflect the international character of our Club.
We meet virtually on Zoom every Sunday at 8 PM. Our meetings are also live telecast on YouTube, allowing our programmes, speakers and message to reach audiences far beyond our membership.
But our work does not remain online.
We also conduct organ donation awareness programmes and talks on physical public platforms across India, taking the message directly to communities and encouraging people to have conversations about organ donation.
A Journey of Remarkable Growth
The journey of the Club is itself a story of remarkable growth.
We began just three years ago with 30 members.
Today, we have grown to 123 members.
This growth is more than a number. It reflects the growing recognition that organ donation deserves a much stronger voice in society and that more people are willing to come forward and become ambassadors for this life-saving cause.
The Vision of Our Founder
At the heart of this journey is our Founder & Charter President, Rtn Lal Goel, whose passion, determination and perseverance have helped establish a Rotary platform dedicated exclusively to organ donation.
His vision is clear:
Organ donation should not remain a subject confined to hospitals, doctors and the medical fraternity. It must become a people’s movement.
Because transplantation does not begin in an operating theatre.
It begins with a decision made by a person—and a conversation within a family.
Creating a Culture of Organ Donation
The Club works to create awareness, dispel myths and misconceptions, encourage informed decision-making and promote conversations about organ donation among families and communities.
We believe that awareness is the first step towards action.
A person cannot make an informed decision about organ donation if they have never discussed it, understood it or had their misconceptions addressed.
That is why our mission goes beyond simply asking people to pledge their organs.
We want people to understand the cause, discuss it with their families and make a conscious, informed decision.
Why “International”?
The word “International” in our name reflects our ambition and our belief.
Organ donation is a universal humanitarian cause.
The gift of one person can potentially transform the lives of many others—irrespective of their religion, language, nationality, gender, economic status or social background.
In organ donation, humanity comes before every boundary.
One donor can potentially give the gift of life to multiple recipients and bring hope to many more families.
From Service Above Self to Life Beyond Self
As Rotarians, we believe in Service Above Self.
Our Club seeks to give this principle a very profound meaning:
To give someone the possibility of life even after our own journey has ended.
Organ donation is perhaps one of the most extraordinary expressions of selfless service. It allows a part of our legacy to continue—not in monuments or possessions, but in human lives saved, families reunited and futures restored.
Our message is simple, but powerful:
*ONE DECISION.
SAVES MANY LIVES.
A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON.*
This is Rotary Club of Organ Donation International.
A Rotary Club with a cause.
A cause with a purpose.
And a purpose that can give someone the greatest gift of all—the gift of life.
