Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

The first Rotary Club in the world was organized in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on February 23, 1905 by Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in the spirit of friendship and understanding, a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. At first, members of the new club met in rotation at various places of business of the members and this suggested the name "Rotary." Since 1905, the ideas of Paul Harris and his friends have become ideals which have been accepted by men and women of practically all nationalities and of many political and religious beliefs. 

The objectives of Rotary in every country are the same: 

• The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
• High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
• The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
• The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.and helpfulness to others.

Rotary’s motto is “Service Above Self”.

Romania had a flourishing Rotary District in the 1930s (district 84), but under totalitarian influence, firstly as part of the Axis, and later under Communist control, Rotary was banned.
The first club to be chartered was in Bucharest on 20th May 1929 with Timisoara close behind on 24th May 1929. Others followed with Brasov inaugurated on November ,5th in 1930, Cernauti on 17th November 1930, and then Arad on 3rd January 1933, Campina on 29th January 1934, Iasi on 30th March 1934 and finally Ploesti on 13th June 1936.
Cernauti's existence was terminated on 6th August 1940 but the other six officially remained until 31st December 1941. However, the Germans had entered Romania on 6th October 1940 and as elsewhere, Rotary meetings were discouraged, if not immediately banned.
It was not until May 1st 1992 that Bucharest was re-admitted and in the 2005/6 RI Directory, some 58 clubs are listed for Romania. Their chartering dates are all post 1992.

Rotary Club Targu-Jiu (Gorj county) was chartered on 5th May 2001.

Pictures of the election of the Rotary Club Targu Jiu President for the year 2010-2011: