Article Contributed on: 6/30/2009 3:29:30 PM
On February 23, 1905, Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney, invited 3 of his friends to form a service club. They called it Rotary. From this humble beginning 104 years ago has grown Rotary International to 1.5 million members. There are 33,000 clubs in 213 countries all over the globe.
10 years after the first club started in Chicago, a group of fairly well-known businessmen, pledge the Object of Rotary is "Service above Self" to serve their businesses, their communities, and each other unselfishly with high ethical standards.
As clubs were requested in other countries and on other continents, the concept of "international understanding" became an additional Object of Rotary.
In the beginning, each local club and its members focused on their local community. They emphasized working as individuals doing unselfish volunteer work, rather than club projects. As the number of clubs increased and spread worldwide, the clubs began to see how they work together. Their focus was an attempt to try to solve world problems of disease, hunger, poverty and illiteracy and to foster world understanding and peace.
Can you be a Rotary member? You don't have to be rich to join Rotary. You have to have the heart to give service, to share your time, to share your professionalism and your knowledge.
One of the first things a new Rotarian learns is the 4- Way Test which asks each of us of the things we think, say, or do. 1) Is it the truth? 2) Is it fair to all concerned? 3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships 4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Since 1987, women have been admitting their talent, energy and wisdom and make up 15% of our total worldwide membership and it is growing.
With Rotarians of goodwill, high personal ethical standards and the ideal of "Service above Self" in 213 countries around the world, I am convinced that we can bring solutions to issues of worldwide terrorism and hatred.
The Northglenn-Thornton Rotary Club meets 12:10 on Tuesdays at the Radisson Castle Lodge - I-25 & 120 th Avenue. If you are interested, PLEASE attend as a visitor and our guest.