The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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February 7, 2010

Rotary International is ‘service above self’

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID — Rotary International, which became known as the world’s first service club, began in Chicago in 1905.

It was founded by Paul Harris, an attorney who wished to establish a friendly spirit in a service club like he experienced growing up in a small town. The name Rotary was taken from the practice of early members rotating meetings among members offices. It’s popularity spread, and by 1921, clubs had been formed on six continents and the organization adopted the name Rotary International. As it grew, the mission expanded beyond club members local interests and they began pooling their resources to help needy communities, according to the Web site Rotary.org. Their motto is “Service above Self.”

By 1925, there were more than 200 clubs totaling more than 20,000 members. The Rotary Four-Way Test was developed in 1932 by member Herbert J. Taylor. It is a code of ethics that was adopted by the club a decade  later. The code considers the truth, fairness to all, will actions build good will and better friendships and will it be beneficial to all concerned.

A number of clubs disbanded during World War II. In 1942 a Rotary conference promoting international education and cultural exchanges was held. That event led to the founding of UNESCO. Forty nine Rotarians participated in the United Nations Charter Conference in 1945, and the club still actively participates in UN conferences by sending observers to major meetings.

There are more than 1.2 million Rotarians belonging to 32,000 Rotary cubs in 200 countries today.

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