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ROTARY
INTERNATIONAL:
A BRIEF TIMELINE
|
| 1905 |
Chicago attorney Paul Harris organizes first Rotary meeting,
on 23 February, leading to formation of the Rotary Club
of Chicago.
|
| 1906 |
Rotary Club of Chicago provides a public toilet outside
City Hall, Rotary's first community service project. |
| 1910-1911
|
Paul
Harris elected first president of National Association
of Rotary Clubs at the first convention. |
| 1911-1913 |
Clubs formed in Canada, Great Britain, and Ireland; organization
name changes to International Association of Rotary Clubs. |
| 1915-1916 |
Club chartered in Cuba, the first non-English-speaking
Rotary country. |
| 1916-1917
|
President
Arch Klumph proposes establishing an endowment fund, precursor
of The Rotary Foundation. |
| 1942-1943 |
Rotary conference in London on education and cultural
exchange sets stage for UNESCO. |
| 1945-1946
|
Forty-nine
Rotarians help draft the UN Charter. |
| 1946-1947 |
Founder Paul Harris dies in Chicago; outpouring of funds
from Rotarians used to establish fellowship program. |
| 1948-1949 |
First 18 Rotary Fellows study abroad, a precursor of Ambassadorial
Scholars. |
| 1962-1963
|
First
Interact club formed in Melbourne, Florida, USA. World
Community Service program launched. |
| 1965-1966
|
Special
Grants (now Matching Grants) and Group Study Exchange
programs begin. |
| 1967-1968
|
First
Rotaract club formed in Charlotte North Carolina, USA |
| 1978-1979
|
Health,
Hunger & Humanity (3-H) Grants begin. |
| 1979-1980 |
Foundation grant to immunize six million Philippine children
against polio sets stage for PolioPlus. |
| 1984-1985
|
Rotary
launches PolioPlus program and campaigns to raise US$120
million to immunize all the children of the world. |
| 1987-1988
|
Through
the PolioPlus campaign, Rotarians raise US$247 million.
First women join Rotary. |
| 1988-1989
|
Rotary
returns to Hungary and Poland. |
| 1994-1995
|
Western
Hemisphere declared polio-free. |
| 1998-1999 |
Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and
conflict resolution established. |
| 2000-2001
|
Western
Pacific region declared polio-free. |
| 2001-2002
|
Europe
declared polio-free. |
| 2002-2003 |
Rotary launches a second polio eradication fundraising
campaign to help fill a critical funding need. Rotarians
raise over US$129 million. |
| 2004-2005 |
Clubs celebrate Rotary's centennial by launching hundreds
of community projects and contributing thousands of volunteer
hours. |
| 2006-2007 |
The Rotary Foundation recognizes the millionth Paul Harris
Fellow. |
| 2007-2008 |
Rotary receives US$100 million grant from the Gates Foundation
to help eradicate polio. |
|
Rotary
International, the world's first service club organization, is made
up of nearly 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical
areas. Its members form a global network of business and professional
leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities
and the world.
Rotary's
motto, Service
Above Self,
exemplifies the humanitarian spirit of the organization's more than
1.2 million members.
Strong
fellowship among Rotarians and meaningful community and international
service projects characterize Rotary worldwide.
The
Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service
as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage
and foster:
- 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.
The
4-Way Test of the things we think, say or do:
- Is
it the truth?
-
Is it fair to all concerned?
-
Will it build goodwill & better friendships?
- Will
it be beneficial to all concerned?
20
Reasons to Join Rotary
- Friendship:
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the
most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship.
It is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
- Business
Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning
is business development. Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists
of a cross-section of every business community. Its members come
from all walks of life. Rotarians help each other and collectively
help others.
- Personal
Growth & Development: Membership in Rotary ensures continuing
growth and education in human relations and personal development.
- Leadership
Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful
people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education.
Leadership is all about learning how to motivate, influence and
lead leaders.
- Citizenship
in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club helps develop
better community citizens. The average Rotary club consists of
the most active citizens of any community.
- Continuing
Education: Each week at Rotary, there is a program designed
to keep members informed about what is going on in the community,
nation and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen
to different speakers on a variety of timely topics.
- Fun:
Rotary is a fun and exciting place to be.
- Prestige:
Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the
professions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and
all disciplines. Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service
club in the world. Its ranks include executives, managers, and
professionals – people who make decisions and influence policy.
- Citizenship
in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary
International.” There are few places on the globe that do
not have a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome – even
encouraged – to attend any of the 30,000 clubs in 194 nations
and geographical regions. This encourages new friendships in both
local and world communities.
- Assistance
When Traveling: Traveling Rotarians can secure medical and
professional assistance as well as services and advice from fellow
Rotarians throughout the world.
- Public
Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were uncomfortable
about speaking in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill
in public communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect
these skills.
- Entertainment:
Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities
that contribute to a diverse, yet professional business life.
Rotary holds conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes
that provide entertainment in addition to Rotary information,
education, and service.
- Development
of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions,
Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills and people
skills. Rotary is for people who like people.
- Family
Programs: Rotary provides one of the world’s largest
youth exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future
Rotarians; opportunities for spouse involvement; and a host of
activities designed to help family members in growth and the development
of family values.
- Vocational
Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth
and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve
on committees and to teach youth about jobs or vocations. Rotary
helps to make each individual a better doctor, lawyer, teacher,
etc.
- The
Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that
governs their ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be
ethical in business and personal relationships.
- Cultural
Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country,
culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and
ethnic identity is represented among members of Rotary. Rotary
is a cross section of the world’s most prominent citizens
who are aware of their cultures and have developed a love of working
with people everywhere. They become better citizens of their countries
in the process.
- Nice
People: Rotarians are the nicest people on the face of the
earth.
- Absence
of an Official Creed: Rotary has no secret handshake, no official
creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of
men and women who simply believe in helping others.
- Opportunity
to Serve: As a service club, Rotary’s business is mankind
and its product is service. This is perhaps the best reason for
becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do for others and to experience
the fulfillment that comes from service above self.
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