Facts About Rotary

The first rotary club was formed in Chicago on February 23, 1905 by Paul P.Harris, a lawyer and three of his business friends with the intention of building friendships among local business people. Since the meetings in these early days rotated among each members’ offices, it became known as the "Rotary" club.

The mission of Rotary is depicted in its motto "Service Above Self" which implies the building of positive relationships among peoples throughout local communities and the world.

Members of Rotary are professional women and men who work together as volunteers to build a better community and world through humanitarian efforts.

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:

• First: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  
• Second: 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;
  
• Third: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
  
• Fourth: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service."
  

The Four Way Test of Rotary

• Is it the truth?
  
• Is it fair to all concerned?
  
• Will it build good will and better friendships?
  
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?