Rotary International is a worldwide service organization that has over 32,000 clubs across the world. For the past century, Rotary clubs have been heavily involved in their local communities, providing humanitarian services, building goodwill and spreading peace. Recently I came across a headline at Microcapital discussing Rotary’s new push toward microcredit. In 2007, Rotary International created the Rotary Action Group for Microcredit (RAGM), whose purpose is to help Rotary Clubs worldwide get more involved with microcredit projects. I really thought this was a great thing that Rotary is doing. Here you have an organization that is already involved with humanitarian efforts, so it’s members are willing to put in the time to help others, and now they are shifting their focus to help spread the good to microcredit programs. Rotary clubs are known worldwide for their integrety, so by having them participate in microcredit programs they can help influence other people to join microcredit. I am interested to see how far Rotary’s reach will go in the world of microfinance. I am hoping that some of the other service clubs, such as Free Masons, Lions Clubs International, and B’nai B’rith follow the Rotary example. By getting service organizations involved on top of all the for-profit companies that are making a push towards microfinance, we will hopefully see a lot of progress in microfinance within the next few years.