Rotary is an International organization
founded in 1905 by Paul Harris.

"He who breathes deeply has the better chance of thinking clearly.
He whose mind is right is most likely to be morally right and to understand the doctrine of ...
"Service Above Self".
                                                                                                                                                        Paul P. Harris

• On 23 February, 1905, Paul Harris formed the first club with three other businessmen: Silvester Schiele, a coal merchant; Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor.
• Paul Harris named the new club "Rotary" because members met in rotation at their various places of business. Club membership grew rapidly. Soon Paul became convinced that the Rotary club could be developed into an important service movement and strove to extend Rotary to other cities.
• Paul maintained his law office for most of his life. He spent much time traveling and was invited to speak to Rotarians at annual conventions, district and regional meetings, and other functions.
• When President emeritus Paul Harris passed away on 27 January, 1947, his dream had grown from an informal meeting of four men to some 6,000 clubs.
• In the past five decades, the organization has grown to more than 31,300 clubs with 1.22 million members brought together through Paul Harris' vision of service and fellowship.

History of The Rotary Foundation

Arch C. Klumph,
1916-17 president of Rotary
International and founder of
The Rotary Foundation

Since that first donation in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than US$1 billion. More than US$70 million was contributed in 2003-04 alone. To date, some 914,792 individuals have been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows — that is, someone who has contributed US$1000 or has had that amount contributed in his or her name.

Such strong support and involvement of Rotarians worldwide ensures a secure future for The Rotary Foundation as it continues its vital work for international understanding and world peace

Paul Harris Fellow

Anyone who contributes – or in whose name is contributed – a gift of US$1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund may become a Paul Harris Fellow. Each new Paul Harris Fellow receives a commemorative certificate, a Paul Harris Fellow pin, and a medallion. Donors are eligible for Paul Harris Fellow recognition when their cumulative giving reaches US$1,000.

For additional gifts totaling US$1,000 or more, a Paul Harris Fellow:

• Is recognized as a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow.
• May also choose to honor someone else as a Paul Harris Fellow with their Foundation Recognition Points, formerly called "available credit".
• Is eligible to receive a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow pin with additional stones.

Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members

Every Rotarian Every Year

The newly revitalized Rotary Foundation Sustaining Member program still allows those who wish to achieve Paul Harris Fellow or Multiple Paul Harris Fellow status to continue to do so over time, making it affordable for all Rotarians to participate.

Sustaining Members are now asked to make a commitment to the Foundation in writing and help sustain the many wonderful programs of The Rotary Foundation with a gift of US$100 or more every year to the Annual Programs Fund. All Rotary Foundation Sustaining Members will receive a membership card and a sticker to affix to their club name badge for each year that they participate in the program.