Although we don’t have secret handshakes or rituals, it may seem to outsiders as though we speak in code thanks to the many abbreviations and phrases that we use often forgetting that not everyone understands the meaning. Below is a table of the most common which we hope will help new members and outsiders get up to speed with the language of Rotary.
| RI | Rotary International |
| RIBI | Rotary International Britain and Ireland |
| Rotary GBI | New name for rotary International GB & Ireland |
| PHF | Paul Harris Fellowship |
| DG | District Governor |
| DGE | District Governor Elect |
| DAG | District Assistant Governor |
| PDG | Past District Governor |
| DMS | Data Management System on RI website |
| RYLA | Rotary Youth Leadership Award |
| Rotaract | Young Rotary Groups aged 18-30 set up by clubs |
| Interact | Junior Rotary Groups aged 12-18 set up by schools |
| GSE | Group Study Exchange |
| Inner Wheel | Ladies arm of Rotary |
| RI Convention | International get together – 2020 in Honolulu |
| Rotary Showcase | RIBI Conference (usually in April) various venues |
| District Conference | Held in September (various venues-this year Southport)l |
| District Assembly | Meeting held in May to outline District Plans for the coming year |
| Shelter box | Tent and equipment for disaster areas |
| Peace | self explanatory but there’s a Bill Huntley Peace Seminar held in October at Bradford University for Peace Scholars |
| Foundation | The Rotary International Charity |
| DDF | Foundations District Designated Fund |
| Charter | Club’s inauguration anniversary event held in April |
| SGM | Specialist General Meeting – Budgets & Election of future officers – held in November |
| AGM | Clubs annual General Meeting – Accounts presentation, Chairman’s reports |
| Club Assembly | Usually June- Incoming President presents his plans for the coming year and introduces his team |