A Brief History of Rotary

The first Rotary club in the world was organized in Chicago. Illinois, U.S.A., on 23 February, 1905 by Paul P. Harris, a young lawyer, who gathered together in a spirit of friendship and understanding a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. That basis for membership-one person from each business and profession in the community-still exists in Rotary at first, the members of the new club met in rotation at their various places of business, and this suggested the name ‘Rotary’. Since 1905, the ideas of Paul Harris and his friends have become ideals which have been accepted by people of practically all nationalities, and of many political and religious beliefs. Today there are Rotary club in Austria and America Samoa, in Brazil and India and Italy, Scotland and South Africa in 160 country and 36 geographical regions the universal acceptance of Rotary principles has been so great that there are now more that 29,300 Rotary clubs, which has a membership of about 1.200.00. The general objectives of Rotary clubs in every country are the same-the development of fellowship and understanding among the business and professional leaders in the community, the promotion of community – betterment endeavors and of high standers in business and professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace. Rotary clubs everywhere have one basic ideal – the “Ideal of Service”, which is thoughtfulness of and helpfulness to others.