The Rotary Club of Worcester falls under District 7910 of Rotary International. The 118-year-old RI is a worldwide service organization. Its purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders, to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. 

 

Rotary is a secular organization open to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender or political preference. Globally, there are more than 34,000 clubs and more than 1.2 million members worldwide. Rotary members are known as Rotarians. Usually, they meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These are social events as well as opportunities to organize work on their service goals.

 

Rotary's primary motto is service above self. An earlier motto was, "One profits most who serves best.” This year’s Rotary International theme—“Create Hope in the World” —by working for peace and mental wellbeing.

Rotary started with the vision of one man: Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, in 1905. It was intended to be a place where professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member.

 

Worcester Rotary held its first meeting 111 years ago - in March 1912 - and its charter was issued that April. By that August, there were 29 members. In the mid-1990s, Worcester Rotary’s membership stood at more than 225. 

 

Click HERE to learn more about the Worcester Rotary Club.