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My Rotary Club Finder Search Enter the terms you wish to search for. Search Rotary.org Submit Join Donate About Rotary (down arrow opens sub-menu) Overview History Our Structure Our Foundation Our Leaders Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Financials Partners Membership Careers Get Involved (down arrow opens sub-menu) Overview Join Rotary Clubs Rotaract Clubs Interact Clubs Projects Partnerships Ways to Give Our Causes (down arrow opens sub-menu) Overview Ending Polio Promoting Peace Fighting Disease Providing Clean Water Supporting Education Saving Mothers and Children Growing Local Economies Protecting the Environment Disaster Response Our Programs (down arrow opens sub-menu) Overview Youth Programs Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Peace Fellowships Rotary Community Corps Grants Youth Exchanges New Generations Service Exchange Scholarships Friendship Exchange News & Features (down arrow opens sub-menu) All News & Features Magazines Press Center Blog Social Media Virtual Reality For Members (down arrow opens sub-menu) My Rotary Club and District Administration Rotary Club Central Rotary Citation Club Finder Member Center RI Convention Profile Our Foundation My Rotary Club Finder Our History Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves. Paul Harris Rotary founder Our ongoing commitment That commitment endures today through an organization that remains truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Our members now span the globe, working to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems. We’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only two countries — down from 125 in 1988. Rotary’s Timeline Our 1.4 million members join community leaders, friends, and partners in a global network that is addressing challenges around the world. Explore Still making history With every project, we’re changing the world for the better. The following stories trace our evolution as an organization through historical documents, artifacts, and images that show the people and events that shaped Rotary. Rotary’s two official mottoes Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best can be traced back to the early days of the organization. Learn more › The roots of Rotary’s polio eradication efforts In 1979, Rotary began a project to immunize six million children against polio in the Philippines. The effort’s success led to Rotary making polio eradication its top priority. Learn more › The start of Rotary in South America Rotary’s global expansion began early. The chartering of the Rotary Club of Montevideo, Uruguay, in February 1919 brought Rotary to South America. Learn more › View more stories Dive deeper into our archives Rotary’s archives include tens of thousands of photos, recordings, publications, and artifacts that preserve our legacy. Are you conducting research? Members of Rotary, Rotary staff, and the public may visit the archives by appointment. Learn more about what we collect, what we can do for you, and how to schedule an appointment to examine our material. Learn more The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects. With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world. Give nowReady to make history with us? Get involved Please help us improve. Was this page helpful? About Rotary Get Involved Our Causes Our Programs News & Features For Members Contact Us Deutsch English Español Français Italiano 日本語 한국어 Português Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram Linkedin © 2023 Rotary International. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of...