RGHF Rotary Global History Fellowship

 

"Slowly, we seek to serve others, believing that history will encourage membership retention and increase contributions to The Rotary Foundation."

GLOBAL●Clubs●Districts●Missing●Library●New?●Harris●Peace●TRF●Philosophy●Presidents●Conventions●Join●Contact●Forum●Search●RGHF FELLOWSHIP

The Rotarian History 

In the beginning
Home SECTION HOME The History of "The Rotarian Magazine" SEARCH
Editors Contributors Humor Liquor ad Policy Harris' Articles J. Edgar Hoover
Message to Garcia Odds and Ends Shaw "No War" Shaw "Nations" Sgt-at-Arms Plagiarism in Rotary?
Seven Milestones We all Lie Alike M. Chiang Kai-shek Perry to 1929 DG's 1940 Scrapbook 1943 Comely Bank Story
COORDINATOR NEEDED The Rotary Reader Comment Committee DISCUSSION Updates

The first issue of The National Rotarian was published in January 1911. This 12-page tabloid was considered the best way to distribute an essay written by Rotary founder Paul Harris. (The photo on the right was used in that first issue) The essay was titled, "Rational Rotarianism." There was also club news and advertisements. About 2,000 copies were produced by printer Harry Ruggles, one of the first members of the Rotary Club of Chicago. Soon the issue went back to press for another 2,000 copies. 

Paul Harris' articles in The Rotarian

Second issue

The second issue appeared in July 1911. It contained a "President's Corner," news from the clubs, and more than 20 advertisements. Soon after, the magazine started its monthly publication schedule. (In February 1995, the magazine published its 1,000th issue.) Name change: In 1912, by action of the R.I. Convention, the name of the magazine was changed to The Rotarian.

PH, President’s Corner, The National Rotarian, July 1911>>>

"One of the most powerful influences in the civilization of this day is the press, and yet many American journals whose tremendous circulations constitute indubitable proof of their influence and power, wield such influence and power with about the same degree of tender regard to principle and truth as would a bar room full of drunken sailors. It is to be hoped that The National Rotarian may possess an influence and the power to spread the principles of Rotary throughout the land and that its publishers may never become unmindful of the fact that the acquisition of influence and power means the assumption of great responsibility." Paul Harris (located by Wolfgang Ziegler)

Purpose of The National Rotarian.

 

The primary purpose of The National Rotarian is to provide a means for the exchange of ideas between Rotarians throughout the world, not to give the national officers an opportunity to express their views. These messages are not written merely to fill space; nevertheless we look forward to the day when they will be literally crowded out by surging mobs of virile Rotarian ideas struggling to be heard." Paul P. Harris, in The Rotarian, January 1912
• An Historian Looks at Rotary • The Rotary Reader • Harris says "Advertise in The Rotarian" • WE LIE ALIKE • 1943 Paul and Jean at Home • Editors/Contributors • The Message to Garcia • J. Edgar Hoover • Early Rotary Humor • Advertising in The Rotarian • Madame Chiang Kai-Shek • Seven Milestones in Rotary History • 1929 "Word to District Governors" From Ches Perry • The Question of Plagiarism • Here Comes the Sergeant-at-Arms! • George Bernard Shaw in The Rotarian • Wages and Guilty • A "scrapbook" History of Rotary •

The contents of this website, our electronic features and newsletters have been researched, collected, compiled, and written by Rotarians.

RGHF Mission: As an effort to serve others, RGHF accumulates and preserves the complete history, values and philosophy of the Rotary movement, as well as encourages others to do the same at every level of the Rotary movement, and publishes those histories, values and philosophies on the internet, as well as other forms of media as expedient. 17 March 2003, amended 20 December 2007, Rotary Global History Fellowship Board of Directors.

This fellowship is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International, but is affiliated with individual Rotary districts, clubs, other Rotary organizations and enjoys the support of Rotarians, clubs, districts, and zones world-wide. The views and opinions expressed on this website are not necessarily the collective views and opinions of Rotary International or all Rotarians. Rotary International is not responsible for any content and accepts no liability therefore. © 2000-2008 RGHF (Rotary Global History Fellowship)