Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united
worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in
all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of 31,936 Rotary clubs in
166 countries.
Rotary is not a political organization, but all Rotarians are vitally concerned
with everything pertaining to good citizenship and the election of good men and
women to public office.
Rotary is not a charitable organization, yet its activities exemplify the
charity and the sacrifices that one should expect from people who believe that
they have a responsibility to help others.
Rotary is not a religious organization, but it is built on those eternal
principles that have served as the moral compass for people throughout the ages.
On February 23, 1905, Chicago
lawyer, Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting. What he had in mind
was a club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community.
It was an idea that grew from his desire to find within the large city the kind
of friendly spirit that he knew in the villages where he had grown up.
The four businessmen didn't decide then and there to call themselves a
Rotary club, but their get-together was, in fact, the first meeting of the
world's first Rotary club. As they continued to meet, adding others to the
group, they rotated their meetings among the members' places of business, hence
the name. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members.
Additional Rotary clubs were formed in 1908 on the West Coast of the
U.S., and in New York City. On October
28, 1920, the Rotary Club of Frederick was chartered. By 1921, the organization
was represented on every continent, and the name Rotary International was
adopted in 1922.
The motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self.” The organization’s
objective is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy
enterprise. The ideal of service is fostered through:
·
Development of acquaintance as the opportunity for
service
·
Promotion of high ethical standards in business and
professions
·
Fostering of service in one's personal, business, and
community life
·
Encouragement and advancement of international
understanding, goodwill, and peace.
