The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, was formed on February 23rd, 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to capture in a club, the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members' offices.
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change— Across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary provides humanitarian service and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 35,000 Rotary Clubs located in 200 plus countries.
The world’s Rotary clubs meet on a weekly or bi-monthly basis. Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, colour, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The main objective of Rotary is service— In the community, and throughout the world. Rotarians develop community and International service projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, violence and gender inequality. They also support programs for youth, educational opportunities and international exchanges for students. The Rotary motto is Service Above Self.
Although Rotary Clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarians worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. The goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent since the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly three billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it is crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.
If you are interested in learning more about the Rotary Club of Cochrane then check out rotarycochrane.ca and if you have a question or would like to go to a club meeting (Zoom!) then email [email protected].
© 2021 Martin Parnell
martinparnell.com
