April, 2006 My Fellow Rotarians - Rotary's Global History Fellowship

District 6440 Histories 2005
3. To encourage civic pride and loyalty;
4. To promote honorable business methods;
5. To advance the business interests of the
individual members.
Paul Harris was elected President of the new
organization. Thus, 1910 marked not only the
organization of the various Rotary Clubs as a
united body, but also the crossing of the first
national boundary line with establishment of the
Winnipeg, Canada Club.
First Clubs were organized in Europe, (London,
England; and Dublin and Belfast, Ireland), in
1911.
The first issue of the Rotary magazine was
published in January 1911, with 5,000 copies
printed as the National Rotarian and adopted as
the official magazine of Rotary at the Portland,
Oregon Convention.
It was also at the Portland Convention that the two
phrases, "He Profits Most Who Serves Best" and
"Service, Not Self," were highlighted, with the
result that they were incorporated into the Rotary
motto "Service Above Self - He Profits Most Who
Serves Best."
Name of the National Association of Rotary Clubs
was changed to the International Association of
Rotary Clubs, at the Duluth, Minnesota
Convention, in 1922.
At the convention, the first model Club
Constitution was adopted. In addition, the name of
Rotary's official magazine was changed to The
Rotarian. The first of the numerous appeals,
which were later to come to Rotarians to help in
disaster relief, came in March 1913, in response to
which Rotary Clubs contributed over $25,000 to a
Rotary Relief Fund for victims of the Dayton,
Ohio flood.
The first Rotary Club founded in a non-Englishspeaking
country occurred in Havana, Cuba, in
1916; the event attesting to the universality of
Rotary by proving that its principles possessed the
vitality and appeal to transcend language
boundaries as well as national boundaries.
The first convention held outside North America
occurred at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1921.
Through the early years of Rotary, the thought
frequently had been advanced that Rotary might
well be a medium for advancement of
international peace and good will. At the
Edinburgh Convention, this objective was
formally adopted; "To aid in the advancement of
international peace and good will through a
fellowship of business and professional men, of
all nations, united in the Rotary Ideal of Service."
The name of the organization was shortened to
Rotary International, in 1922.
One of the most far-reaching activities of
Rotarians is the Foundation Program, in which
over $14 Million was granted in 2006, (not loaned
to youth and others for study and learning in
countries other than their own. The goal improved
international understanding and good will.
A trust, for doing good in the world, was
suggested at the Atlanta Convention of 1917 with
the first contribution of $26.50, coming from the
Kansas City, Missouri Club. Rotary International
appointed a Foundation Board of five trustees in
1928, which established a trust in 1931. Generous
contributions started pouring in from clubs
immediately after the death of founder Paul
Harris, in 1947.
As of 2006, 1.7 billion dollars has been raised for
the Foundation's global programs. More than
57,000 students have received International
Rotary Foundation scholarships to study in
countries other than their own. More than 29,500
non-Rotarian business people have been sent on
Group Study Exchanges to all corners of the
globe. Special grants support International
3