Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world for over 110 years.
Rotary links 1.2 million members to form an organization of international scope. It started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities.
Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members.
The first four Rotarians: Gustavus Loehr, Sylvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey and Paul Harris.
Picture was taken between 1905-1912 in Chicago
Learn more about the first four Rotarians and the Founding Years
Rotarians at the 1911 convention embrace an early version of our primary motto, Service Above Self. They also adopt an early version of our secondary motto, One Profits Most Who Serves Best. Two slogans were formally approved as official mottoes in 1950: He Profits Most Who Serves Best and Service Above Self.
