Definition of Rotary

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of more than 29,000 Rotary clubs in 161 countries.

A Brief History

Rotary's first day and the years that followed...

February 23, 1905. The airplane had yet to stay aloft more than a few minutes. The first motion picture theater had not yet opened. Norway and Sweden were peacefully terminating their union. On this particular day, a Chicago lawyer, Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting. What he had in mind was a club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community. It was an idea that grew from his desire to find within the large city the kind of friendly spirit that he knew in the villages where he had grown up.

The four businessmen didn't decide then and there to call themselves a Rotary club, but their get-together was, in fact, the first meeting of the world's first Rotary club. As they continued to meet, adding others to the group, they rotated their meetings among the members' places of business, hence the name. Soon after the club name was agreed upon, one of the new members suggested a wagon wheel design as the club emblem. It was the precursor of the familiar cogwheel emblem now worn by Rotarians around the world. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members.

The second Rotary club was formed in 1908 half a continent away from Chicago in San Francisco, California. It was a much shorter leap across San Francisco Bay to Oakland, California, where the third club was formed. Others followed in Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York. Rotary became international in 1910 when a club was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. By 1921 the organization was represented on every continent, and the name Rotary International was adopted in 1922.

Rotary Motto

Service Above Self

The Rotary Club

Meets once each week for a breakfast, lunch or dinner meeting.

Membership is formed on the unique plan of one active and representative person from each line of business and profession in the community.

Objects of Rotary

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 by each Rotarian of their occupation as an opportunity to serve society.

The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to their personal, business, and community life.

The advancement of international understanding, good will, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional people united in the ideal of service.

Benefits of Rotary

Making the acquaintance of people you ought to know.

Genuine, wholesome good fellowship.

Developing true and helpful friends.

Enlightenment as to other people's work, problems and successes.

Education in methods that increase efficiency.

Stimulation of your desire to be of service to your fellow men, women and society in general.

Obligations of Rotary

To attend meetings regularly.

To pay dues promptly.

To do my part when called upon.

To be a big-hearted, broad-minded person - a person of energy and action - a Rotarian.

Four Way Test - the Heart of Rotary

One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling company mired in depression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional lives. The 4-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy.

The 4-Way Test was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International in 1954-55.

Of the things we think, say or do:

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

Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions

The Declaration of Rotarians in Businesses and Professions was adopted by the Rotary

Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;

Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;

Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation;

Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship;

Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society;

Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community;

Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession;

Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship.