The Object of Rotary is a philosophical statement of Rotary’s purpose and the responsibilities of Rotarians. The concept of vocational service is rooted in the Second Object, which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”:
 
Those objectives are:

• To encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and professions, to recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations, to dignify the Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society.
• To apply the ideal of service in personal, business and community life.
• To advance international understanding and goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of businessmen and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.

Paul Harris wrote: "Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their trade or profession".
 
Vocational Service is the way Rotary fosters and supports the application of the Ideal of Service to the pursuit of all vocations.
 
It is the shared responsibility of both the Rotary Club and its members.