Organized by attorney Paul P. Harris, the Rotary Club began as an opportunity to learn about other businesses in a friendly atmosphere to increase fellowship and understanding among people.

The very first Rotary Club met in Chicago on February 23, 1905. The name Rotary was selected because they met in rotation at each member's place of business.

Since that time, Rotary has come to symbolize a quality that has members worldwide working together to better understand all people and to be of service beyond oneself.

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:

The development of acquaintances as an opportunity for service;

High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying by each Rotarian of his/her occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his/her personal, business, and community life;

And the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional men and women united in the ideal of service.