This month in Rotary: 103rd anniversary

Rotary International News - 01 February 2008

Caption: The first four Rotarians: (left to right) Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, and Paul Harris. Rotary Images

During the first Rotary club meeting on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester Schiele met to talk about their personal experiences. Harris then unfolded his general plan for their club meetings.

This was the simple beginning of the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago. It was created because of Harris’ wish to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices.

Rotarians continue to take pride in their history. In honor of that first club, Rotarians have preserved its original meeting place, Room 711 in Chicago’s Unity Building, by re-creating the office as it existed in 1905. For several years, the Paul Harris 711 Club maintained the room as a shrine for visiting Rotarians. In 1989, when the building was scheduled to be demolished, the club carefully dismantled the office and salvaged the interior, including doors and radiators. In 1993, the RI Board of Directors set aside a permanent home for the restored Room 711 at RI World Headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Evanston.

For more historical information about Rotary, visit Rotary History and Archives or the Rotary Global History Fellowship.

Share your ideas about how to best celebrate Rotary’s anniversary in the comments section below.

38 Comments:

At 9:27AM on 4 February 2008, CP NOLI, DIST.3820 wrote: all the clubs in the world should have been advvised to celebrate Rotary's anniversary through different kinds of project like medical, dental, legal mission especially in depressed areas covered by the respective clubs for the whole world to know that there exist a Rotary club....

At 9:26AM on 4 February 2008, Scott Mills, Club President wrote: The Rotary Club of McLean, VA, intends to celebrate RI's 103rd birthday by inducting a new member, inducting 20+ new Paul Harris Fellows and multiple Paul Harris Fellows, inducting our 16th and 17th Paul Harris Society Members in our club of 70 members, presenting a Four Avenues of Service Citation to a member of the club, presenting a 100% Paul Harris Fellows banner to the club--the first time in the club's 43 year history, announcing a new Major Donor, and presenting the District Paul Harris Society banner to the club by District Governor Travis White and DRFC PDG Sandy Duckworth. We intend to have our remaining charter member of the club and other members give a few Rotary Minutes about the history of the club. Birthday cake will be served, but I think the county's fire code regultions will prevent our having all 103 candles on the cake! Happy birthday, ROTARY INTERNATIONAL! Sharing Rotary, Scott Mills

At 9:23AM on 4 February 2008, DRFCC ARMANDO "SANDIE' B. SAN DIEGO, R.I. DISTRICT 3770, PHILIPPINES wrote: Rotary is celebrating its 103rd year of success that brings a great difference in the lives of people around the world. With the Rotary Club of Meycauayan Uptown's 14th year of existence on February 1, we decided to synchronize the celebration together with that of Rotary on Feb. 23 which falls on our meeting day, Saturday. The Club will formally start the three-month feeding program for all the 25 public elementary schools in our town together with the two medical missions scheduled on that day.... More power to 103rd year of Rotary!!!

At 9:10AM on 4 February 2008, Rotr Taritei kuroekigha wrote: All i will say is that am proud to be in the rotary familly. am a rotaractor from district 9120 university of maduguri Nigeria.Rotary is a way of life,rotary my rotary together we shall sarve mankind.

At 9:09AM on 4 February 2008, John Miller wrote: The Putnam Rotary Club is celebrating Rotary's birthday with weekly installments of "Rotary Today", the idea of our President Dick Loomis.

At 9:07AM on 4 February 2008, Clara Harris, Pathways to Peace, outreach wrote: Through our District 5340 Pathways to Peace Committee, clubs celebrate all month, with speakers and activities with a focus on world understanding and peace through Rotary. many clubs present a Peacemaker of the Year Award.

At 9:06AM on 4 February 2008, Carol Toomey wrote: A dinner to celebrate the birthday of Paul Harris. The hotel did not have a room available on the 23rd, but they did on the 29th. The theme was automatic: “Leap into PR.” On that night, we will have an expo of the 20 club projects and how they promoted them. There will be PR awards. And, we will have a speaker from the largest PR firm in the country. In addition, we have invited members of the Lion’s club who are “sharing” a project with our Sturbridge club and six other clubs on three continents. There will also be a display of how we are using the District PR Grant. Some clubs are making this dinner their weekly meeting.

At 9:05AM on 4 February 2008, SACHIN MANCHANDA wrote: IN THE EVE OF 103RD ANNIVERSARY OF ROTARY INTERNATIONAL, WE ROTARY CLUB FATEHABAD METERO CLUB NO. 76594 DISTT.3090 ORGANISE AIDS AWARENES CAMP AT FATEHABAD (INDIA) &TRICYCLE DISTRIBUTION CAMP FOR NEEDY PEOPLE AT FATEHABAD & DISTRIBUTION BISCUITS & TOFFES TO CHILDREN ON 103RD ANNIVERSARY OF ROTARY. RTN.NARESH BAJAJ (PRESIDENT) RTN. SACHIN MANCHANDA (SECRETARY) RTN. MANOJ CHAWLA (CLUB ADVISOR)

At 9:32AM on 5 February 2008, Rtn Ajit Kumar Bhagat - President ( RC Burdwan Greater, RI Dist : 3240. ) wrote: Our club is going to organise a talk by our Charter President & senior most member Rtn Sunil Mukherjee in the club meeting. This will motivate the new members further in their committment towards Rotary movement in the town. Our Community Service Director Rtn Dr. Mainak Mukherjee is going to organise a quiz competition on Rotary movement till date among members

At 4:28PM on 5 February 2008, Karen Bridgeman, President, Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, Oak Ridge, Tennessee wrote: Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club will host author and artist Andrew J. Shoup for two full days of presentations Feb. 22-23 at a local elementary school and our public library. Mr. Shoup wrote and illustrated "Andy & Elmer's Apple Dumpling Adventure," a children's book that presents Rotary's Four-Way Test in a delightful story. He will work with students, teachers, staff, and parents as well as the adults and older children in our community, focusing on literacy and Rotary's respect for business ethics. In fulfilling the second part of World Rotary Day's mission -- letting the public know about Rotary, Rotarians, and our efforts to make the world a better place -- we are working with the publisher of our local newspaper to produce a 24-page, full-color special section that will be distributed to 8,000 households, highlighting the work of both Rotary clubs in Oak Ridge. The speaker for our club program on Feb. 20 is Ansley Haman, a reporter for the Knoxville News Sentinel, who is a recent Ambassadorial Scholar. We are so grateful for the "nudge" RI gave us to share Rotary with our community on World Rotary Day(s) -- we feel sure it will spread Rotary's message AND help us identify potential members who share our commitment to "Service Above Self."

At 8:43AM on 6 February 2008, CP Boy Marigza wrote: Paul and his three gentlemen friends are great! How can you imagine a world without Rotarians?

At 8:41AM on 6 February 2008, Rtn.CHANDI CHARAN MONDAL PRESIDENT OF R C BARDHAMAN HERITAGE R I DIST 3240 wrote: We ,The membeers of R.C Bardhaman Heritage are to organise a Quiz contest among Rotary Anns on the history of the foundation of rotary & thereafter womens involvement in rotary movement to obseerve 103rd Birthday of our FOUNDER

At 8:40AM on 6 February 2008, manoj kumar chawla wrote: A grant celebration is going to be held on 23rd Feb on the eve of 103rd anniversary of rotary international at ROTARY CLUB FATEHABAD, MID TOWN, DISTRICT 3090 . We will add more member and aware the general people about the club and its activity.We will celebrate it with full joy and happiness. WITH BEST WISHES RTN MANOJ CHAWLA ( PRESIDENT) RTN RAJIV TUTEJA (SECRETARY ) RTN SURENDRA MAAL ( EXECUTIVE SECRETARY )

At 9:20AM on 7 February 2008, PP Exequiel "Jun" Aguilar Jr.-RC Calamba, RID 3820 Philippines wrote: Our club, RC of Calamba will launch on Feb. 23, 2008, the 103rd anniversary of RI our Citywide deworming program for children and will unveil the newly renovated Rotary's waiting shed along the National Hi-way of Calamba City. More Power to RI! "Mabuhay Rotarians!"

At 9:19AM on 7 February 2008, Ann Stevens wrote: As President of the Rotary Club of Northport, NY, we are pleased to be able to celebrate Rotary Day with a special fund-raiser to benefit our local Visiting Nurse Service and Hospice of Suffolk. On Sat. eve, Feb. 23, we will present "A Winter Soiree" at Northport's Engeman Theater -our beautifully refurbished and newly- opened live theater venue. The evening will feature a special concert on the theatre stage, by our own Rotarian, vocalist,Teri George. This will be preceded by a cocktail hour in the piano lounge. The Mayor of Northport will be there to present our club with a proclamation declaring Feb. 23 "Rotary Day in Northport". For tickets please call the Theater Box Office: 631-261-2900

At 10:41AM on 11 February 2008, Vijay Jain wrote: As Charter President of Rotary Chanakya, we are pleased to celebrate 103rd Anniversary of Rotary. We will be organise a huge Health Checkup camp at Dharara Village on this day.

At 9:26AM on 11 February 2008, Rtn YR Bakshi wrote: On 103rd Anniversary of Rotary, Rotary Club of Dhauladhar Palampur RI District 3070, will distribute cloth and ration to the Leporsy patients. Club also organizing a Rotary Family get together

At 4:37PM on 11 February 2008, Antonio Herrera wrote: The Syracuse Sunrise Rotary Club, D.7150 and the San Joaquin La Serena RC D. 4320 we will be celebrating Rotary during the grand opening of English Language Center named Paul Harris in the City of La Serena, Chile on Feb. 20th. and the teacher training "English Changes Lives" Feb. 18, 19, 20 in Coquimbo. We have been supporting English teachers in this area of Chile since 2005. .

At 8:50AM on 12 February 2008, Ajay Deep Wadhwa wrote: In my opinion, the best way to celebrate Rotary is to invite those leaders of the Club, who have contributed a lot as Presidents during their tenure. By honoring them, we can enrich ourselves with their advices so that our Club can grow like anything. Therefore, as a Secretary of Rotary Club of Ranchi (Dist 3250), India, I have decided to invite PDG and PPs of my club for a get-together.

At 11:20AM on 12 February 2008, arturo d. zambrano wrote: we the rotary club of isulan district 3870 will also celebrate by conducting a dental outreach to the elementary schools

At 11:31AM on 13 February 2008, Simon S.K. Sagala-Mulindwa,PHF, President, Rotary Club of Kololo-Kampala, Uganda D-9200 wrote: How about all able Rotarians going on to the streets of their towns/cities at a given time (depending ontime zone) wearing Rotary attre and waving Rotary flags/anners for a given number of minutes, followed by a small activity like polio immunisation or blood donation or distribution of water purifying tablets, etc... to needy communitiies within their vicinities, so everyone gets to know it's Rotary's Birthday that we are celebrating? Our Club will be participating in a 10-Kimometre WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING CHARITY WALK organised by and on the initiative of the Rotary Club of Kampala-North, under the theme "2008-WPU-WALK FOR HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION," to raise funds for the different prticiparting Clubs' Humanitarian Community Projects.

At 10:14AM on 18 February 2008, Ik Samben Nwosu wrote: RI should earmark true Rotarians and make sure they get Visa in any convention. This will encourage Young rotarians to measure with the older ones.

At 10:12AM on 18 February 2008, pramod Rath wrote: Rotary is the most wonderful invention in this earth. If we at all want reall good in this world ,let's work to eradicate poverty and provide education to one and all. That should be the goal of each Rotarian and each Rotary Club. Pramod Rath IPDG-3260

At 9:24AM on 18 February 2008, Shyamashree Sen wrote: I am citing the example of our district 3290. In the morning of 23rd February we are organizing a peace march of about 500 people - Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors and RCCs members in the heart of the city. Then in the evening we are having a discussion meeting on "Is peace possible today?' which is being sponsored by most of the clubs of our district. The speakers are eminent citizens of our country who are not Rotarians. We hope to spread the message of Rotary in this way. Next morning all the Rotarians of our district will be busy at the immunisation booths for PulsePolio!

At 9:12AM on 18 February 2008, Rtn Chandraakant Dalal President2008/9Northislanders dist 3140 wrote: on this day, there should be articles and adverisements in leading newspapers to promote Rotary image and working. It should not be the day like just other 364 days . i will be sending mails and commnications to maximum people to create Rotary and its project awareness

At 9:06AM on 20 February 2008, President Dr Manish Motwani wrote: Dear Rotarian Friends, Rotary Club of Mulund Hill View- Club no 56001- District 3140 is planning to do something unique on the Anniversary day of Rotary. We have arranged to show a movie sent to us from RI.." Humanity in Motion IV " in 6 cinema halls of PVR cinema at Mulund, Mumbai before each movie from 22nd Feb 2008 to 24th Feb 2008 . This will be a good PR for Rotary and also promote Membership growth.

At 11:21AM on 21 February 2008, Sandy Domingue wrote: Hi Rotarians, I am Sandy Domingue, Secretary/Treasurer for the Westlake, Louisiana Rotary Club. Our club has chosen to induct two new members today at noon during our meeting to commemorate this very special day in Rotary history. We will also have a our regularly "Rotary Minute" concerning the first Rotary club meeting on February23, 1905.

At 2:46PM on 21 February 2008, Rtn. Bikash Ch Saha wrote: Let us all Rotarans take an oath to serve and serve to the community and do work out how can we dedicate more in Rotary by launching meaningful projects in this anniversary.

At 9:11AM on 25 February 2008, Sharing President Tristan wrote: We, from Manila Philippines Rotary Club of Paco, Rotary Club of Panday Pira, Rotary club of Pasay downtown, Rotary Club of Raha Sulayman ,and Rotary Club of Tondo will celebrate Rotary's anniversary through different kinds of project like medical, optical and dental, legal mission especially in depressed areas like in binondo san nicolas area Manila, Philippines. Seventy Five percent (75%) of the residents live in slum areas where problems of malnutrition, sanitation, drug addiction and unemployment need urgent solutions. We ares presently addressing these problems in the most humble way we can, and we know that we cannot solve these problems alone In the Afternoon we will have a BARANGAY-LEVEL LIVELIHOOD PROGRAM PROJECT SEMINAR. At night we will have a free mini-concert with some movie stars surprise guests it.

At 9:03AM on 25 February 2008, Rtn. Tushar Ranjan Das Presiden, R.C,of Cuttack Greenfield. wrote: Rotary is the only non govermental organisation, capable to organise world wide project like polio eradication.Long live ROTARY.

At 9:02AM on 25 February 2008, Prez. Irfan Mohammad Khan - RC Moradabad Central - Charter # 29254 / Distt 3100 wrote: To commemorate the Rotary Anniversary, the Annes of the club undertook a visit to an orphanage, “Mother Teresa House”, being run by Missionaries of Charity. We have pledged provisions, clothing’s and other things of need on regular basis or as and when demanded. We are going to make a special fund raising program for the orphanage. As good luck would have it, the Charter Date of our club is also 23rd February. We have organized a talk on Rotary, Share and …Sharamdaan…. by one of our learned PDG Rtn. G.L. Sawhney. We are using the occasion to further the lofty ideals of Rotary by welcoming the newly elected DGN Rtn. Rajeeve Rastogi of Distt – 3100 for the Year 2010/11 and two members of nomination committee from our city.

At 9:01AM on 25 February 2008, Jose Diogo wrote: We from Interact Club of Entroncamento - District 1960 - Portugal - will organize a Gala to raise funds to build a library on a children centre. The centre is used as home by girls whose parents are in jail or absent. With the funds we will raise we will also take them to Lisbon to see a play written by a well-known Portuguese writer. The Gala will take place at Entroncamento's main theatre on Feb. 29th, at 2130. Have a nice day, May we "Make Dreams Real" and let "Rotary Share" all our companionship and love.

At 8:57AM on 25 February 2008, Anil Sharaf wrote: 1.Free Kidney Check up Camp 2.Rally on Polio Awareness by Slum Children 3.Opening of Free Oxygen Cylinder Bank 4.District Governor’s official visit & Celebration of Rotary’s 103rd Anniversary on Sunday, 24th February 2008 at 7.00 PM. Cake will be cut and 103 candles will be lit. We intend to have our remaining charter members of the club and other members give a few Rotary Minutes about the history of the club.

At 8:42AM on 25 February 2008, Rtn KULDEEP SOLANKI (PHF) wrote: On 23rd February our Club Rotary Club Of SONEPAT, Haryana, INDIA,district 3010,celebrated 103rd Rotary Anniversary in our club. All rotarians with their family were invited President briefed them impotance of the day of 23 February.Deputy Governor Rtn Asit Mittal gave a lively talk about the history of rotary -how it started and how it grew to this large scale in 200 countries.and how this day is marked as world understanding and peace day throughout the world . To mark the importance of the day our club distributed scholarships to various needy girl students for their education.The meeting concluded after a cake cutting ceremony marking the ROTARY ANNIVERSARY and then followed by dinner

At 8:18AM on 2 April 2008, Rtn. Nurul kabir chy wrote: On the eve of Rotary aniversury I will share my idea that every rotary district is necessary to take a big programme to showing every success events to the general public in the community. So that rotarins will be successful with their great contribution and that will be encourage to the public about rotay.

At 8:14AM on 3 April 2008, Kaiyah wrote: I would just like the chance to say that what you guys do is awesome. Even though iam not a member i would like to some day become one. You are the sort of people that are just to awesome. Great job you guys. Yous absolutely rock.

At 11:10AM on 15 April 2008, Rtn.Dr.Manohar Jadhav R.C.Belgaum Mid-Town R.I.Dist.3170 wrote: Rotary Anniversary may be commemorated in the name of world's first four Rotarians by popularising the 4 way test in the community.

At 8:39AM on 29 April 2008, Rtn.Alex Geonlebedum ,R.C.Festac town.D9110 wrote: Rotary Anniversary is what the whole world can not forget in any way putting in place what rotary has done to many nation more in Nigeria on polio,clean water etc.The heros of that will still stand in remenbrance of Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester Schiele .

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