The mission of Rotary International is to assist and guide Rotarians and Rotary Clubs to accomplish the Object of Rotary to ensure Rotary’s continue relevance and to help build a better world, emphasizing service activities by individuals and groups that enhance the quality of life and human dignity, encouraging high ethical standards and creating greater understanding among all people to advance the search for peace in the world. 

Rotary Brief History

The first Rotary Club was founded in Chicago by attorney Paul P. Harris and three other businessmen.  On February 23, 1905, Harris held the first meeting with three friends, Silvester Schiele, coal merchant, Gustave E. Loehr, mines engineer and Hiram E. Shorey, tailor.  The member chose the name Rotary because they rotated Club meetings to each member’s office each week. 

Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world.  Today there are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians who belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.