The first Rotary Club was organized in Chicago in 1905 by Paul P. Harris. This club met in rotation at the offices of the members, thus the name Rotary. There are now more than 31,000 Rotary Clubs with a total Rotary membership of over 1.2 million men and women.

The world is divided into 529 Rotary Districts which include clubs in 166 countries. The Rotary Club of Turlock is in District 5220. Rotary International is governed by a president and board of directors elected from all over the world. Annually, each District elects a District Governor and each club elects its officers and directors. Virtually all Rotary clubs have directors for the following areas of service.