The Rotary Foundation – Doing Good in the World
Here are some excerpts from the story of the First 100 years of Rotary written by David Forward:
In April 1906, when a patent attorney Donald Carter was invited to join the Rotary Club of Chicago he asked to see the Club’s objectives. When he learned that it was limited to good fellowship and boosting one another’s business, he declined, suggesting that such a prominent group of business leaders should aspire to higher ideals.
The Club invited Mr Carter to write an objective that defined this charitable goal and ultimately adopted this third object:
"The advancement of the best interests of Chicago, and the spreading of the spirit of civic pride and loyalty among it’s citizens."
By July, 1910 there were 16 clubs, each with it’s own policies, practice’s and emblems.
Paul Harris called for a convention in Chicago to bring some unity and a distinct mission and purpose to these clubs. While fellowship drew most Rotarians, it was business boosting that was the strongest benefit of participation. Initially each week members were asked to report all business they had referred to or received from other Rotarians. In some cases those who did not send enough trade to other members were not asked to rejoin the following year.
This was anathema to a growing number of Rotarians who began to initiate service activities. The service aspect of Rotary began in Chicago, where Rotarians bought a horse for a local doctor and led the effort to provide the city’s first public restrooms. It continued when disasters struck in various parts of the country, and Rotarians generously donated relief supplies.
So this was the start of what Rotary is today – Service above Self.
I hope you find this little bit of history on Rotary will be of benefit to you all.
Yours in Rotary
Bernie