Rotary Founder in His Office
 
This photo shows Paul P. Harris, the founder of Rotary, in his private office at the Law Offices of Harris, Dodds, and Brown in Chicago, taken in 1909.
 
It offers a glimpse into the professional life of the man whose vision of friendship and service laid the foundation for Rotary International.
"Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves."

 
For more than 110 years, Rotary members have been creating positive change and addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges. With over 1.2 million members today, Rotary is a global network of leaders and problem-solvers committed to service above self.

Rotary’s journey began with the vision of Paul P. Harris, a Chicago attorney who sought to create a community where professionals from different backgrounds could meet, exchange ideas, form genuine friendships, and work together to improve society. On February 23, 1905, he founded the Rotary Club of Chicago, marking the beginning of what would become Rotary International.

The name “Rotary” was inspired by the club’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members, reflecting the spirit of equality and shared leadership that defined the organization’s foundation.

From those humble beginnings in a Chicago office, Rotary has grown into a global force, uniting people across cultures and continents to fight disease, promote peace, support education, grow local economies, and provide clean water and sanitation.

Rotary continues to empower its members to turn ideas into lasting impact locally and globally while staying true to the values that began with one man’s vision over a century ago.
 
The First Four Rotarians

This historic photo shows the original four members of Rotary: Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, and Paul P. Harris, the founder of Rotary.

Taken in Chicago between 1905 and 1912, it marks the early days of a growing idea. These men came together with a shared vision to build lasting friendships and serve their community through professional fellowship.

From this small group, Rotary grew into a global organization with millions of members around the world.

Our ongoing commitment

Rotary members have not only been present for major events in history — we’ve also been a part of them. Three key traits have remained strong throughout our history:

We’re truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country work to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.

We persevere in tough times. During World War II, Rotary clubs in Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally, and after the war, Rotary members came together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.

We’re committed to service, and we’re not afraid to dream big and set bold goals. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries — down from 125 in 1988.

The First Six Presidents of Rotary International
 
This photo was taken at the 1939 Rotary International Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. It features the first six presidents who helped shape Rotary's early legacy.
 
Front row: Paul P. Harris and Glenn C. Mead
 
Back row: Russell F. Greiner, Frank L. Mulholland, Allen D. Albert, and Arch C. Klumph
 
These leaders played a key role in guiding Rotary’s growth and establishing its global mission of service and fellowship.

$26.50

Was the first amount donated to The Rotary Foundation in 1917.
 

$500

Was the first gift from The Rotary Foundation to the International
Society for Crippled Children in 1930

Rotary will continue to grow and help others around the world.