1 MILLION Paul Harris Fellows!

Posted by Jeff Ambrose 
 
For they are jolly good fellows !" all 1 million of them! After 12 Paul Harris Fellows were recognized in 1957, it took less than a generation for their ranks to multiply to 100,000 in 1984 and less than another generation for the quantum leap to one million in 2006. Together, these one millionth Paul Harris Fellows represent US$1 billion contributed to The Rotary Foundation, enabling its humanitarian and educational programs to grow and meet great global needs.
 

Anyone who contributes a gift of $1,000 or more to the Annual Programs Fund, or has that amount contributed in his or her name, may become a Paul Harris Fellow.

In June, 34 individuals, one from each RI zone, were honored together as representing the millionth Paul Harris Fellow. Among them was Peter Radel, a member of the Rotary Club of Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia, in Zone 8. Radel felt disbelief, he says, when he heard the news, but not as overwhelmed as when he received Paul Harris Fellow Recognition from his club.

"It was presented by [2005-06] District Governor Paul Grubb," says Radel. "This was special to me, as I was one of Paul's assistant governors." Radel has also been active in raising funds for Foundation projects. "Our club is an enthusiastic supporter of Foundation initiatives such as PolioPlus, which has been an outstanding success," he says.

"The Rotary Foundation encourages Rotary club members to look outside their immediate neighborhood and provide service to the world community as well as the local community," Radel adds. "It also provides insights into other cultures through visits from people from other parts of the world, for example, Group Study Exchange teams. The Foundation ensures that Rotarians gain a much more balanced view of the world."

Learn more about Paul Harris Fellows at www.rotary.org/foundation/development/recovery