About Us:

Rotary International is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build understanding, goodwill and peace in the world. It is the world’s first, largest, and most international civic club.  

Rotary began on February 23, 1905 when a young Chicago attorney, Paul Harris, conceived the idea of a fellowship comprised of businessmen from different occupations without restrictions of politics or religion. The new club became known as Rotary because members met in rotation at their various places of business.   For an actual 1933 video speech by Mr. Harris, click here.

As others learned of Rotary, clubs sprang up across the United States and eventually across the globe. Today, there are over 1.2 million Rotarians in over 32,000 clubs. These clubs are divided into geographical districts and zones on six continents and 168 countries. 

Rotary’s motto is Service Above Self. Local clubs engage in a vast array of service projects that meet needs and improve the quality of lives of people around the globe. Today’s Rotary emphases are clean water, literacy, and hunger.