When Rotary was founded in 1905, by attorney Paul P. Harris, he envisioned a professional club where individuals from diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form lifelong friendships. Originally formed for fellowship, the first Rotary club quickly evolved to use the talents and resources of its members to serve the community. In 1917, the tradition of “Service Above Self” became official and the Rotary International Foundation was created to provide funding and resources.
As of 2026, Rotary International clubs exist in 200+ countries and include 1.4 million members. It is an outward reaching organization with a vision “to unite people and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
