In 1896, Paul Harris went to Chicago to practice law. One evening, in the early 1900's, Paul went with a professional friend to his suburban home. After dinner, as they strolled through the neighbourhood, Paul's friend introduced him to tradesmen in their stores. This reminded Paul of his grandparent's home in New England. "Why not have a fellowship composed of businessmen from different occupations, without restrictions of politics or religion?" he thought.
This re-enactment by members of the Willoughby Theatre Company was staged at the Rotary District 9685 Conference on 23 February 2014 - 109 years after Rotary became a reality.
Actors: Jeremy Curtain, Mike Curtain, Luke Davis, & Peter Meredity Author: Carla Moore
This video has been posted on the pages of the Rotary Global History Fellowship; in the process it was reviewed by RGHF & RI historians and they have highlighted a number of actual/alleged departures from fact in the accompanying disclaimer. Of course, the play was never meant to be a re-enactment!
DISCLAIMER
This short play gives a good idea about the first meeting which led to the creation of Rotary. There are, however, one or two points which are open to correction or discussion.
Firstly the meeting was held in Room 711 in the Unity Building which was Gus Loehr's office, not Paul Harris' office.
Secondly there is no evidence that at that meeting the name 'Rotary' was coined, nor that doing community service was one of the objects, and though the provision of a public toilet by City Hall did become Rotary's work, it may not have been the very first. - Basil Lewis, RGHF History Chair - Provided by RGHF member Les Walsh
This re-enactment by members of the Willoughby Theatre Company in Sydney was commissioned by Rotary District 9685 and staged at the District 9685 Conference on 23 February 2014.
(RGHF note: The narrative describes the setting as the office of Paul Harris, while the first meeting occurred in the office of Gus Loehr, in Room 711, of the Unity Building in Chicago, found at RGHF's www.room711.org Also - Sylvester Schiele arrives late, but he and Paul walked together after dinner Madam Galli's Italian restaurant nearby. This meeting was an idea of Paul, Sylvester, and probably Harry Ruggles. It was a couple of weeks before they met again. "Rotary" was never discussed at the first gathering. That came later. Otherwise, it's good effort. Poetic licences allows this to be a valuable contribution to the Global History of Rotary. This video contains the spirit of Rotary.) Jack M. B. Selway, Founder of Rotary Global History Fellowship. Posted at RGHF on 31 December 2014.
Find out more about Rotary's beginnings here
There are over 31,000 Rotary clubs, in 164 countries, whose members carry on club, vocational, community and international service. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International annually spends some $105 million on international education and humanitarian programs, providing grants which save lives and improve conditions throughout the world. Rotary also sponsors international ambassadors of good will through educational awards to university students and teachers, and through international exchange of business and professional people. Today the Rotary Foundation scholarship program is the world's largest privately funded international scholarship program. Approximately 1,100 scholarships are awarded annually. Rotarians have raised some 438 million dollars for the PolioPlus program alone as well as provided thousands of volunteers to administer the vaccine around the world.