On February 23, 1905, Paul Harris and three friends met in a small office in Chicago. They didn’t set out to change the world; they just wanted to find the same spirit of friendship they’d known in their small towns.
Today, that single meeting has evolved into a global force of 1.4 million members across 200+ countries. As we celebrate 121 years, we’re looking back at the milestones that defined a century of service.
A Century of Firsts
Rotary has never been afraid to lead the way. From our early days to our modern global presence, we have consistently broken new ground:
- 1907: Rotary’s first service project (installing public “comfort stations” in Chicago).
- 1921: Rotary officially spans all six inhabited continents.
- 1945: 49 Rotarians serve as delegates and advisors at the UN Charter Conference, helping shape the future of global peace.
- 1989: Rotary votes to admit women worldwide, forever strengthening our impact and perspective.
Our Greatest Challenge: Ending Polio
In 1979, Rotary took on a bold dream: a polio-free world. What started as a project to immunise 6 million children in the Philippines became PolioPlus—the first and largest private-sector support of a global health initiative.
The Impact by the Numbers:
- 99.9% reduction in polio cases worldwide since 1988.
- 3 billion+ children protected across 122 countries.
- $2.6 billion+ contributed by Rotary to the eradication effort.
The Rotary Foundation: Doing Good in the World
Since 1917, The Rotary Foundation has transformed donations into sustainable solutions. With over $5 billion spent on life-changing projects, our focus remains on seven key areas:
- Promoting Peace
- Fighting Disease
- Providing Clean Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
- Saving Mothers and Children
- Supporting Education
- Growing Local Economies
- Protecting the Environment
“Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” — Paul Harris, Founder
Join the Next 121 Years
We aren’t just a club with a history; we are a community with a future. Whether it’s planting trees to fight climate change or providing scholarships to the next generation of peacebuilders, there is a place for you here.