Rotary's First 100 Years

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."

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Rotary's First Hundred Years

An Inspiring Record

"Our first hundred years will stand as an inspiring record of men and women of all races, religions, nationalities and political creeds who have made significant contributions to creating a more peaceful world," he said. "It will be your privilege to lead Rotarians into our next century — a century in which we will Lend a Hand and Celebrate Rotary with even greater fellowship and countless acts of service."

“On a cold February evening nearly 100 years ago, four men gathered in a Chicago mining engineer’s office. Paul Harris, Sylvester Schiele, Gustavus Loehr and Hiram Shorey didn’t think that one century later 31,000 clubs in 166 countries would be meeting every week. And they certainly didn’t think that they were launching a movement that would capture the hearts and minds of so many. They only knew that they needed more friends in their lives and they took a simple action toward that goal.

We are now approaching the 100^th anniversary of their action -- a simple meeting between four businessmen. And when we celebrate all of the wonderful things that have happened as a result of that action, I will ask all Rotarians to join me as we embrace our theme in 2004-05 and CELEBRATE ROTARY.”

Glenn Estess Sr.,

Past Rotary International President 2004-2005

From a Speech given in February 2004

RI Past President Glenn Estess’ speech at the United Nations November 6, 2004

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)