The Rotary Club of Danville, VA is part of Rotary International, 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. Rotary began in February, 1905, when four men met for the first time in Chicago. One of these men, Paul Harris, named the club "Rotary" because the members rotated meetings at different business locations. By August 1910, there were 16 clubs forming the National Association of Rotary Clubs. Rotary became International in 1912 when clubs formed in Canada and Great Britain.