Rotary Club of Wappingers Falls

The Short Answer: Rotary is a service organization of business and professional people composed of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.

 

 

Rotary was founded in 1905 by Paul Harris, a Chicago attorney who wanted to encourage fellowship among business acquaintances. Rotary quickly took on a primary service component which continues today in the words of the well-known Rotary motto: “Service Above Self”.

The weekly meetings in the first years literally “rotated” among the offices of the members, providing the service club with its name. As Rotary grew in numbers, the rotation of meetings among the members became difficult. However, Rotary’s focus on business is still preserved in the system which identifies each Rotarian to a business or professional role in the community.

Rotary brings together people of all races, nationalities, religious faiths, and political beliefs in a common mission of service to the community.

 

 

 

 

The Rotary Club of Wappingers Falls is part of Rotary District 7210 of Rotary International. This district encompasses all clubs within an eight county area in the Mid Hudson Valley. The total membership exceeds 2,400. The District is managed by a District Governor and a District Board of Directors. There are more than 30 standing committees that guide the District, the local clubs, and the members. The District is the link between all local clubs and Rotary International.