To illustrate, the minutes of that first meeting involved the following founding members:

The original idea prospered, and in January 29, 1921, resulted in the achievement, at the "Central Club" in Rio de Janeiro, located at No 118, Avenida Rio Branco, of the first meeting of members.
There were organized at the time, two distinct groups: the Brazilian group represented by Herbert Moses, and foreigners represented by J.D. Snowden, General Manager of "American Steel Export Company."
In consequence of the usual procedures, on 29 September, 1922, officially, was founded the ROTARY CLUB RIO DE JANEIRO, the first and godfather of the other clubs that followed in Brazil.

Once however overcome the difficulties, February 28, 1923, the Rotary International has consigned the competent Diploma of Admission, highlighting the fact that, of the original group, only remained as "founder" Herbert Moses.
Under the 1362 Club number, the new club was affiliated to Rotary International.

COATES, English rooted in Montevideo was  the true forerunner of this important and glorious initiative in Brazil.
Known as the "FATHER OF ROTARY IN SOUTH AMERICA," was acclaimed honorary member of the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro in meeting on February 28, 1938, when new title, until his death in 1941.

The history of the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro is very rich and the planting of the seed of Rotary throughout Brazil in 1924 resulted in the founding of the Rotary Club of Sao Paulo and, subsequently, the Rotary Clubs of Santos (1927), Belo Horizonte (1927), Juiz de Fora (1928) and Niteroi (1928).
The club also participated in the founding of several other clubs in other states of the Federative Republic.

It was also through the initiative of a group of dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Rio de Janeiro that the information "News Rotárias" (founded in 1924), subsequently had its name changed to "Rotary Brazilian", moving then to draw up Forever "Brazil Rotary", a publication that aims to spread the ideal of serve, and the revised regional official of Rotary International for Rotarians in Brazil.

The seed planted in 1923 by RC of Rio de Janeiro, germinated and bore fruit: today, are 38 districts in Brazil, with more than 2,300 clubs, which include more than 53,000 Rotarians.

In Rotary world, Brazil is in third place in number of clubs and fifth in number of members.
In addition, two international conventions have been held in Brazil: one in 1948, in Rio de Janeiro, with 7,511 participants, and another in the city of Sao Paulo in 1981, with 15,222 participants.

Three distinguished Brazilian Rotarians also have held the position of President of Rotary International: Armando de Arruda Pereira (1940-41), Ernesto Imbassahy de Mello (1975-76) and Paulo Viriato Correa da Costa (1990-91), all now deceased.

acknowledgements to the District Board, the Clubs, Members and Webmaster of District 4750

translated by Google and edited and posted by RGHF Webmaster, Greg Barlow. 24 August 2008