Rotary Friendship Exchange

Rotarian teams or individuals, who may be accompanied by their families, make reciprocal visits to other countries, staying in each other's homes and learning about different cultures firsthand.

1962-63

First Interact club formed in Melbourne, Florida, USA. Wourld Community Service program launched.

1965-66

Special Grants (now Matching Grants) and Group Study Exchange programs begin.

1967-68

First Rotaract club formed in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.

1978-79

Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants begin.

1979-80

Foundation grant to immunize six million Philippine children against polio set stage for PolioPlus.

1984-85

Rotary launches PolioPlus grogram and campains to raise US$120 million to immunize all the children of the world.

1987-88

Through the PolioPlus campaign, Rotarians raise US$247 million. First women join Rotary.

1988-89

Rotary returns to Hungary and Poland.

1994-95

Western Hemisphere declared polio-free.

1998-99

Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution established.