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The History of Rotary's Development
Like many other worldwide institutions, Rotary came into existence almost by accident. Its founder Paul P. Harris (below) was born in Wallington, Vermont, New England. Coming to Chicago as a young lawyer, he felt the isolation of a stranger in a great city. Then the idea came to him that a few businessmen of different trades might be brought together at regular intervals for fellowship. The first meeting of these four founder-members took place on February 23, 1905. Rotary was conceived on this basis of fellowship among business and professional men. These pioneers met regularly at each others' place of business by rota, hence rotating. So the name Rotary.
In its early days the members of the new Rotary helped each other in business. The single classification rule by which the club did not contain business competitors militated mutual advantage. It was not long before the idea of service instilled itself in the minds of the new Rotarians. The first club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, came formally into existence in 1905 and within its first year performed its first act of community service.
Three years passed before a second club was formed in San Francisco in 1908. This was quickly followed by clubs in Oakland, Seattle, New York, Boston and other cities, and by 1910 the first clubs formed an association, the National Association of Rotary Clubs in America, 14 of which met in convention in Chicago where Paul Harris was elected President and Chesley R. Perry elected Secretary. If Paul Harris was the architect of Rotary, Ches Perry, as its first professional secretary, was to be its builder.
In 1910 Rotary spread beyond the United States to Winnipeg in Canada, and in 1911 it crossed the Atlantic to Dublin, London and Belfast. During 1912 the National Association changed its title to the International Association of Rotary Clubs (IARC). At the second convention in 1911 Rotarians adopted a statement of Rotary's principles and aims:
"The Rotary Club demands fair dealings, honest methods and high standards in business. No obligation, actual or implied, to influence business exists in Rotary. Election to membership therein is an expression of confidence of the club in the member elected, and of its goodwill towards him. As his business is an expression of himself, he is expected actively to represent it. Membership in the Rotary club is a privilege and an opportunity, and its responsibility demands honest and efficient service and thoughtfulness for one's fellow".
Extracted from "Welcome to Rotary © R.I.B.I."
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