What is Rotary?

Many of us when driving into new town may have noticed a sign at the side of the road, usually blue and gold in the form of a cog that says, “Rotary Meets at ….”  Have you ever wondered what that sign meant?  That sign represents a whole organization of over 1.2 million members worldwide committed to pursuing humanitarian projects that will make life better for all.  That sign is there to alert other members and interested parties where and when that town’s Rotary Club meets. 

Perhaps you've wondered why is the organization called Rotary?  February 23rd is the anniversary of Rotary’s founding.   Rotary was founded by Paul Harris and a group of businessmen in Chicago in 1905.  They would alternate holding meetings at each other’s offices.  Because the location of the meetings rotated, they called it Rotary.  Today members of one club can still rotate to share meals with other Rotarians at locations in towns in over 200 countries.  When traveling, by attending a meeting at a local Rotary Club, there is no way better to experience the flavor of a visit to a foreign location than getting to know others who share a this common bond with you.

We persevere in tough times. During WWII, Rotary clubs in Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, and Japan were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally and following the war’s end, Rotary members joined together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.

Our commitment to service is ongoing. We began our fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. By 2012, only three countries remain polio-endemic—down from 125 in 1988.  Locally, Rotary Clubs provide scholarships, have built parks, fed the hungry and successfully completed many other compassionate projects too numerous to list.

Would you like to do more to help those less fortunate in your local community and the world?  You can make a difference!!!  Join with Rotarians worldwide and leverage off those efforts already being made.  

Enjoy a barbecue lunch on us and find out more about Rotary at the Famous Dave’s Restaurant in Mountainside on Rt. 22 East every Monday (except legal holidays) from 12:15PM – 1:15PM or visit Rotary.org.