The History of How We Do It
-- Service Above Self
In 1905, Paul Harris and 3 others started
Rotary in Chicago, Illinois. Meetings "rotated" between members. Hence the
organization became "Rotary".
By 1921, there were clubs on 6 continents.
The next year, the organization became "Rotary International". As the
organization grew, so did its interests. Rotarians began contributing their
resources and talents to serving communities in need. Rotarians are dedicated
to this ideal which is best expressed by the motto "Service Above Self" and
captured by "The Object of
Rotary".
The
Four-Way Test was created in 1932. This ethics code of conduct was
adopted 11 years later by Rotary international. The focus is on: truth,
fairness, and goodwill in building better friendships and beneficial
relationships that are professional and humanitarian.
During World War
II, many clubs had to disband. After the war, Rotary was instrumental in
fostering better international relations. Many members served in delegations to
the UN Charter Conference. Rotary inspired the founding of UNESCO. Today, it
promotes international educational and cultural exchanges.
As the world
changed, so did Rotary. In 1989, Rotary voted to admit women into clubs
worldwide. There are now over 145,000 women Rotarians.
32,000 Rotary
clubs made up of 1.2 million members throughout the world work to address
issues such as environmental degradation, illiteracy, world hunger, and
children at risk.
The Object of
Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal
of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and
foster:
FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity
for service;
SECOND. High ethical standards in business and
professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and
the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve
society;
THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each
Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH. The
advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world
fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of
service.
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test of the
things we think, say or do:
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR
to all concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
|
|
 
 Calendar of Events
|
