The History of Rotary

 

 

1905 - The Founding of Rotary

February 23, 1905: Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer, founded the first Rotary club in Chicago, Illinois, with three business associates: Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey. The name "Rotary" came from the practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.
 
 

1906 - The First Club Outside Chicago

January 1906: The second Rotary club was formed in San Francisco, California.
 
 

1907 - The First Convention

August 1907: The first official Rotary convention was held in Chicago. By this time, Rotary had clubs in other cities including Los Angeles, New York, and Oakland.
 
 

1908 - First International Club

March 1908: The first club outside the United States was established in Winnipeg, Canada, marking Rotary's first international expansion.
 
 

1910 - Rotary International Becomes Official

1910: The first international convention of Rotary clubs was held in Chicago, where the decision was made to form Rotary International as a global organization.
 
 

1912 - The Formation of Rotary Clubs in the UK

1912: The first Rotary club was established outside North America in London, marking the start of Rotary's presence in Europe.
 
 

1917 - The Birth of "Service Above Self"

1917: Arch C. Klumph, then president of Rotary International, proposed the creation of an endowment fund for Rotary, which later became the Rotary Foundation. The "Service Above Self" motto was also adopted.
 
 

1921 - The Rotary Foundation Established

1921: The Rotary Foundation was officially established to promote educational and humanitarian efforts globally.
 
 

1923 - The Start of Youth Programs

1923: Rotary launched its first program aimed at youth, the Rotary Youth Exchange.
 
 

1931 - The First Rotary Magazine

1931: Rotary's first official magazine, The Rotarian, was published.
 
 

1945 - United Nations & Rotary’s Global Engagement

1945: Rotary International was involved in the founding of the United Nations. Rotary members actively participated in shaping the UN's charter.
 
 

1957 - The First Polio Immunization Campaign

1957: Rotary began its first major initiative to fight polio, although the PolioPlus program wouldn't officially launch until the 1980s.
 
 

1962 - Women Are First Admitted to Rotary Clubs

1962: Rotary clubs began to admit women members in some countries, though it took time for full global inclusion.
 
 

1985 - Launch of PolioPlus

1985: Rotary officially launched the PolioPlus program, aiming to eradicate polio worldwide. The campaign was a major turning point in Rotary's focus on global health.
 
 

2000 - Polio Eradication Efforts

2000: Rotary's global commitment to polio eradication reached new heights with significant partnerships, including collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
 

2003 - Rotary Foundation's $1 Billion Milestone

2003: The Rotary Foundation exceeded $1 billion in total assets, enabling it to expand its humanitarian efforts worldwide.
 
 

2005 - The End Polio Now Campaign

2005: Rotary launched the End Polio Now campaign, intensifying its commitment to polio eradication, with a goal of wiping out polio by 2008 (though the goal was later adjusted due to challenges in the eradication effort).
 
 

2013 - Rotary’s Worldwide Impact on Polio

2013: Rotary had helped reduce polio cases by 99%, with only three countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria) still reporting cases.
 
 

2016 - 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Foundation

2016: Rotary celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation, which had provided over $3 billion for global humanitarian projects, including health, education, and community development.
 
 

2017 - The End of Polio in India

2017: India was officially certified polio-free by the World Health Organization, a major milestone in Rotary's efforts to eradicate the disease.
 
 

2020 - Rotary's Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020: Rotary clubs worldwide responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing critical supplies, supporting healthcare workers, and adapting their community service projects to virtual formats. The pandemic brought Rotary's global community together in new ways.
 
 

2021 - New Strategic Plan

2021: Rotary introduced a new Strategic Plan, focusing on increasing membership, enhancing its impact on communities, and furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization.
 
 

2022 - 100 Years of Rotary in India

2022: Rotary in India celebrated its 100th anniversary, reflecting on a century of service and development in the country.
 
 

2023 - Continued Global Commitment to Polio Eradication

2023: Rotary continued its efforts to eradicate polio, with only two countries (Afghanistan and Pakistan) still endemic. Rotary’s commitment to global health projects expanded to address other pressing issues like clean water, education, and peace.
 
 

2024 - Focus on Climate Action & Environmental Sustainability

2024: Rotary International's global efforts increasingly focus on environmental sustainability, with the introduction of new projects aimed at fighting climate change, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing conservation efforts worldwide.