The seed for The Rotary Foundation was planted by Rotary President Arch Klumph at the Atlanta Convention in 1917. From the first gift of $26.50, the Foundation's assets have grown to approximately $1 billion, and more than $3 billion has been spent on programs and projects — transforming millions of lives across the globe.

 

 

Many Rotarians consider the Secretariat simply another name for the RI World Headquarters in Evanston. Actually, it is much more. While it does include the World Headquarters, the Secretariat encompasses more than 800 individuals working to make Rotary International run smoothly and effectively. The term describes the entire operations of the general secretary and his staff. The Secretariat also includes seven RI International Offices (formerly called service centers) around the world, all of the staff serving in those offices, as well as all staff assigned to The Rotary Foundation. Its sole purpose is to serve the clubs, districts, and administrative officers of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. RI World Headquarters, in a building called One Rotary Center in Evanston, is the headquarters of the Secretariat.