What Is Rotary?
The original Rotary Club was organized in Chicago, Illinois, by Paul P. Harris, a lawyer. It first met February 23, 1905. The name "Rotary" was chosen because the club met in rotation at each member’s place of business. The Rotary idea of friendship, fellowship and service to others spread to six continents and over one million members.
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. In more than 160 countries worldwide approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 30,000 Rotary Clubs.