The current 1.2 million member organization started with the vision of one man, Paul P. Harris.
The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on 23 February 1905.
It was formed as a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships.
Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.
“WHATEVER ROTARY MAY MEAN TO US, TO THE WORLD IT WILL BE KNOWN BY THE RESULTS IT ACHIEVES.”
—PAUL P. HARRIS
