Rotary International started with the vision of one man – Paul Harris. The Chicago Attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905 so that professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Paul Harris was born in Racine Wisconsin USA, on April 11, 1868 and died on January 28, 1947.
Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian services. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.
Rotary founder, who also worked as a Tabloid reporter and a business college teacher, said: “whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world, it will be known by the results it achieves”. That commitment endures today through an organization that remains truly international.
For instance, only sixteen years after being founded, Rotary international had clubs in six continents. Its members now span the globe, working to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems. Rotary’s philosophy is Service Above Self.
Rotary is not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. It began its fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize six million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries down from one hundred and twenty-five in 1988. The success of these efforts has led to Rotary making polio eradication its top priority. Through decades of commitment and work by Rotary and its partners, more than two point five billion children have received oral polio vaccine.
Really, fighting diseases is one of Rotary’s main causes. So, members already support efforts to promote proper hand washing techniques, teach people other ways to stay healthy and supply training and vital medical equipment to healthcare providers. Now, they are helping health authorities communicate life saving information about COVID-19 and donating protective gear and other supplies to clinics and hospitals that are under strain because of the pandemic.
Members are also ramping up efforts to help navigate the next phase of the COVID-19 pandemic vaccines. Rotary will tap into its decades of experience in bringing polio to the brink of eradication, to highlight the power and efficacy of vaccines. Rotary’s tenacity, strategic partnerships and innovation can support the effort to protect communities from COVID-19.
Rotary did not officially call itself international until August 1912.
Owing to its international status, Rotary today holds the highest consultative status offered to a nongovernmental organization by the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council, which oversees many specialized United Nation’s agencies. This network consists of Rotary International representatives to the United Nations and other organizations.
Rotary International is neither a social club nor a secret society. Rotary is calling humanity – neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change-across the globe, in various communities and in ourselves, to join the organization.
Today, Rotary connects twelve million members from more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels. Rotary is a non profit, non-political and non-religious humanitarian organization.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional person united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The object of Rotary is the idea of service manifested in being a thoughtful and helpful person in all of ones endeavours.
One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary “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 and BETTER FRIENDSHIP? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned. The 4-Way Test, which has been translated into more than one hundred languages, has been the philosophy of Rotary.
So, as Rotary International celebrates its one hundred and sixteen years of its existence, its members around the world will mark the anniversary by holding fundraising, events of all sorts, commissioning completed projects and starting new ones. While the celebration lasts and clinking of glasses stare members in the face, humanity is once again reminded to imbibe the Rotary ideal of service above self. Fellowship … Through Service
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