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What is Rotary?
Today, Rotary is well known throughout the world for
its dedication to service and international goodwill. Changing the world through
service, however, was hardly uppermost in the mind of Paul P. Harris when he
founded the organization in 1905. Harris, a lawyer in Chicago, Illinois, USA,
had been raised in a rural village in Vermont. He envisioned a new kind of club
for professionals that would kindle the fellowship and friendly spirit he had
known in his youth.
On the evening of 23 February 1905, Harris invited three friends to a meeting.
Silvester Schiele, a coal dealer, Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor, and Gustavus
Loehr, a mining engineer, gathered with Harris in Loehr's business office in Room
711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. They discussed Harris' idea that
business leaders should meet periodically to enjoy camaraderie and to enlarge
their circle of business and professional acquaintances. The club met weekly;
membership was limited to one representative from each business and profession.
Though the men didn't use the term Rotary that night, that gathering is commonly
regarded as the first Rotary club meeting.
As they continued to convene, members began rotating their meetings among their
places of business, hence the name Rotary. After enlisting a fifth member, printer
Harry Ruggles, the group was formally organized as the Rotary Club of Chicago.
The original club emblem, a wagon wheel design, was the precursor of the familiar
cogwheel emblem now used by Rotarians worldwide.
By the end of 1905, the club's roster showed a membership of 30 with Schiele as
president and Ruggles as treasurer. Paul Harris declined office in the new club
and didn't become its president until two years later. Club membership grew,
making it difficult to gather in offices, so the members shifted their meetings
to hotels and restaurants, where many Rotary club meetings are held today.
Click here to access Rotary International and read the history.
Rotarians live their daily lives according to the Four Way Test.
Every
decision or action Rotarians take in their daily life is subjected to this test.
It is included below for your information.
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10 reasons to join your local Rotary Club
- Professional Networking - an opportunity to network with professional
and business leaders in your community
- The opportunity to serve - Rotarians provide service at both the
community and international lavels. Service programs address Health care needs,
hunger and poverty, illeteracy, disaster relief and environmental cleanups to
name a few.
- Personal growth and development - Membership in Rotary ensures continuing
personal and professional development. Leadership, public speaking and
communications, organisation and planning, teambuilding, fundraising and teaching
are just a sample of the skills that can be excersised and enhanced through Rotary.
- Friendship - Fellowship was the primary reasonRotary was started in 1905,
and it remains a major attraction. Today with over 30,000 Rotary clubs in over
160 countries, Rotarians have friends wherever they go. Rotary helps to build communities
as well as enduring friendships.
- Cultural Diversity - Rotary International is an association of local
clubs in many countries. Clubs are open to members of every ethnic group,
political persuasion, language, and religious belief. Rotary clubs contain a
cross section of the worllds leaders. They practice and promote tolerance.
- Good Citizenship - Membership in rotary makes a better citizen. Weekly
Rotary club programs keep members informed about what is taking place in the
community, nation, and world. Rotaries expansive network of clubs and programs
provides extensive opportunities for service and interchange.
- World Understanding - Rotary members gain an understandingof humanitarian
issues and have a significant impact on them through international service projects
and exchange programs of RI and its Foundation. The promotion of ppeace is one
of Rotary's highest objectives.
- Entertainment - Every rotary club and district hosts parties and
activities that offer diversion from one's personal and business life. Conferences,
conventions, assemblies and social events provide entertainment as well as
Rotary information, education and service.
- Family Foundations - Rotary sponsors some of the world's largest
youth exchange and educational exchange and schol;arship programs.
Rotary clubs provide innovative training opportunities and mentoring for future
leaders. They involve family members ina wide range of social and service
activities.
- Ethical Environment - Rotarians practice a 4 way test that measures
words and actions by their truthfulness, fairness, goodwill and benefit to all.
Encouraging high ethical standards in one's profession and respect for all
worthy vocations has been a hallmark of Rotary from it's earliest days.
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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?"
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Rotary in Parramatta Rotary in Parramatta was formed in
1926 and started in a similar manner to Rotary in Detroit. Early projects were the development of the
then "Crippled Childrens Society" now known as the Northcote Society, the Millenium
Foundation, Careflight, and works in and around the Parramatta district. Rotarians
from this area have been active in a number of overseas aid programs.
From this first Club in the area, over 40 have been formed.
What would Rotary expect of a prospective member?
Rotary in Parramatta is serviced by 3 clubs. Each club has their meetings at
different times to ensure members can meet the obligation of attending a meeting once a week.
It is expected that rotarians will attend more than 60% of the meetings held at their own
club. Each meeting usually involves a meal which must be paid for and currently this
fee is approximately $20.00. There is also an expectation of members supporting a raffle and in
the Rotary Club of Parramatta tickets start at $1.00 with special discounts for multiple sales.
Each club also has a sergeant. The role of the sergeant is to Keep the meeting in order
and "Fine" members for misdemeanours. Some times these can be alleged or even untrue but the
sergeants word is law. A fine is normally a Gold coin although at times paper money is asked for.
A regular meeting starts with a a non denominational "Grace" and a loyal toast to the
"Queen and Australia" The meeting then normally welcomes visitors, has reports
from the board and members and the meal. After the meal there is normally a Guest
Speaker who talk on a wide range of subjects that happen in our community.
The
meeting will finish withthe singing of the national anthem of the Country. This
program is similar wherever a rotarian meets. As a member of Rotary you are welcome
at any club by virtue of your Rotary International Membership.
Each club also has club fees or Dues. Most clubs have twice yearly dues of approximately
$120.00 ( $240 per year) Part of the fee goes to running Rotary International, Rotary
District and the local club.
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