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The world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, Illinois, USA, was formed on February 23, 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he felt in the small towns of his youth. The name "Rotary" is derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among member's offices.
During World War II, many clubs were forced to disband, while others stepped up their service efforts to provide emergency relief to victims of the war. In 1942, looking ahead to the postwar era, Rotarians called a conference to explore international education and cultural exchange that served as an inspiration for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Rotary also played a significant role in the birth of the United Nations itself, with fifty Rotarians serving as delegates, advisors, and consultants at the N Charter Conference in 1945.
"Few there are who do not recognize the good work which is done by Rotary Clubs throughout the free world," British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once declared.


Adopted by Rotary in 1943, the 4-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages. It asks the following four questions:

"Of the things we think, say or do:

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
How to propose a member:
  1. Identify an individual that you think would pass the 4 Way Test. 
  2. Invite that person to a meeting.   
  3. Discuss Rotary with the potential member and glean his/her potential interest in joining. 
  4. Fill out a proposal card and submit it the the Club Secretary.
  5. Board votes on the proposed member.
  6. Proposed member has information session with the Club Secretary.
  7. Proposed member is asked if s/he would like to join.  If yes, application filled out and signed.
  8. Proposed member's name is published in The Ripple.
  9. If there are no objections sent in writing to the Membership Chair within seven days, the proposed member becomes a member.