About 2015-2016

About Worcester Rotary (2015-2016)

The Rotary Club of Worcester falls under District 7910 of Rotary International. The 109-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—“Light Up Rotary” —challenges Rotarians to make a difference by renewing their commitment and welcoming those who have an interest in giving back and wish to join Rotary.

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 103 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. Between then and the past year or so, membership fell to around 50.

These days, thanks in large part to the inspirational vision and leadership of Satya Mitra, the chapter’s president for 2013-2014, Worcester Rotary’s membership has risen to more than one hundred members .The past president and longtime Worcester Rotary member, David Frazier, did a terrific job, and recently handed the baton of leadership to Robert Mangan.

To read and download the Worcester Rotary Constitution, click here.

To read and download the Worcester Rotary Bylaws, click here.

For more information, contact 2015-2016 President Bob Mangan at rmangan58@comcast.net