About Rotary & Our Heritage
From four visionary businessmen meeting in Chicago in 1905 to a worldwide fellowship of 1.4 million leaders dedicated to Service Above Self.
Brief History of Rotary International
Our Beginnings — February 23, 1905
On February 23 in 1905, Chicago lawyer Paul P. Harris called three friends to a meeting. His vision was to form a club that would encourage fellowship amongst members of the business community, an idea originating from his desire to find the friendly spirit he had known in the villages of his youth. Little did the four businessmen know that they had created the world’s first service club: Rotary.
Word of the small club soon spread and other businessmen were invited to join. The name “Rotary” was derived from the early practice of rotating weekly meetings amongst members’ offices. Soon after, a member suggested a wagon wheel design for the club emblem — the precursor of the familiar cogwheel emblem now worn proudly by Rotarians around the world. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members.
The second Rotary club was formed in 1908 in San Francisco, California, followed swiftly by Oakland, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York City. Rotary became international in 1910 when a club was formed in Winnipeg, Canada. By 1921 the organization was represented on every continent, and the name Rotary International was formally adopted in 1922.
As Rotary grew, its focus shifted to community service and civic obligations. Early projects included building public comfort stations near Chicago’s City Hall and delivering food to needy families. During World War I and II, Rotary discovered new areas for serving communities in war relief and overseas emergency efforts. In 1945, 49 Rotarians participated in the historic United Nations Charter Conference in San Francisco.
Rotary Today
Rotary is a global network of 1.4+ million business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and build goodwill and peace.
1.4M+
Members Worldwide
46,000+
Clubs in 200+ Nations
1905
Founded in Chicago
District 9126
Nigeria Network
Key Global Impact Initiatives
- Polio Eradication (PolioPlus): Contributed over US$800M and protected 2+ billion children across 122 countries.
- Rotary World Peace Fellows: Educating 110+ peacemakers annually at 8 leading international universities ($23M+ invested).
- International Education & Scholarships: World’s largest privately-funded source of international student scholarships.
- Clean Water & Literacy: Installing sustainable borehole wells and pioneered the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE).
The Rotary Foundation
"Doing Good in the World" — Transforming gifts into sustainable service projects that change lives both close to home and around the globe.
Modest Beginnings
In 1917, RI President Arch Klumph told delegates at the Atlanta Convention:"It seems eminently proper that we should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world."A year later, the fund received its first contribution of $26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City.
Historic Growth
Formally established at the 1928 Minneapolis Convention, the Foundation reached a new era in 1947 with memorial gifts honoring Paul Harris. Today, The Rotary Foundation receives over $100 million each year and has invested more than $4 billion in sustainable projects.
Foundation Mission
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty across all nations.
What Impact Can One Donation Have?
Protects a Child From Polio
Delivers life-saving oral vaccines to immunize children in vulnerable regions.
Provides Clean Water
Helps install sanitation and water filtration systems to prevent waterborne illness.
Launches Anti-Bullying Campaigns
Funds youth development, safe school learning environments, and peace-building.
Rotary Guiding Principles
The Object of Rotary
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 Rotary 4-Way Test
Created in 1932 to rescue Chicago’s Club Aluminum Company from depression bankruptcy, the 24-word code of ethics was adopted by Rotary in 1943, translated into 100+ languages, and serves as the benchmark of moral conduct.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Our Mission
The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Diversity & Inclusion
Rotary International recognizes the value of diversity within individual clubs. A club that reflects its community with regard to professional classification, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity is a club with the key to its vibrant future.
Why Join Rotary?
Explore the 20 timeless reasons why professionals and community leaders dedicate their lives to Rotary.
1. Friendship
In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of the most basic human needs: the need for friends, fellowship, and meaningful human connection.
2. Business Development
Rotary consists of a cross-section of every business and vocational community, fostering ethical professional networking and mutual support.
3. Personal Growth & Development
Membership in Rotary continues one’s lifelong education, emotional intelligence, and development in human relations.
4. Leadership Development
Rotary is an organization of proven leaders. Service in Rotary positions teaches how to motivate, influence, and lead other leaders.
5. Citizenship in the Community
Active membership makes one a more informed, responsible citizen. Rotary clubs consist of the most active changemakers in any community.
6. Continuing Education
Weekly meetings provide dynamic speakers and timely programmes keeping members informed about community, national, and global developments.
7. Fun & Fellowship
Rotary is a lot of fun! Weekly meetings, service outings, and signature social gatherings bring joy, humor, and camaraderie to life.
8. Public Speaking Skills
Rotary develops confidence and poise in public communication, offering regular speaking opportunities to practice and perfect your craft.
9. Citizenship in the World
Every Rotarian wears a pin recognized globally. With 35,000+ clubs in 200+ nations, you have instant friends and a warm welcome anywhere on earth.
10. Assistance When Travelling
Wherever Rotarians travel, fellow Rotarians offer assistance, local guidance, and medical, legal, or emergency support.
11. Entertainment & Social Life
Conferences, conventions, assemblies, and club parties provide healthy diversion, entertainment, and celebration alongside service.
12. Development of Social Skills
At functions and events, Rotary enriches personality, social acumen, and interpersonal communication for people who love people.
13. Family Programmes
Rotary offers youth exchange programmes, Interact & Rotaract clubs, spouse participation, and activities that nurture strong family values.
14. Vocational Skills
Rotarians share their vocational expertise with youth and peers, making members better doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers, and executives.
15. Development of Ethics
Rotarians practice the 4-Way Test governing high personal and commercial ethical standards across all business and personal relationships.
16. Cultural Awareness
Practically every nationality, religion, race, and creed is represented in Rotary. Members gain profound cross-cultural appreciation and global harmony.
17. Prestige
As the world's oldest service organization, Rotary’s ranks include prominent executives, policymakers, innovators, and respected leaders.
18. Nice People
Rotarians are genuinely warm, hospitable, and compassionate people who live by the philosophy: 'While it is nice to be important, it is more important to be nice.'
19. Absence of an Official Creed
Rotary has no secret handshake, no secret rituals, and no political dogma. It is an open, transparent society of men and women dedicated to helping others.
20. Opportunity to Serve
Rotary's business is mankind. Its product is service. The chance to give back and experience the profound fulfillment of Service Above Self is life-changing.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Join the Rotary eClub of Global Connect today and experience the life-changing fulfillment of Service Above Self.