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| What is Rotary? |
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| Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders
united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in
all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2
million Rotarians, members of more than 29,000 Rotary clubs in 160 countries.
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| A Brief History |
Paul P. Harris
Founder of Rotary
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Rotary's first day and the years that followed...
February 23, 1905. The airplane had yet to stay aloft more than a few minutes.
The first motion picture theater had not yet opened. Norway and Sweden were
peacefully terminating their union. On this particular day, a Chicago lawyer,
Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting. What he had in mind was a
club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community.
It was an idea that grew from his desire to find within the large city the
kind of friendly spirit that he knew in the village where he had grown up.
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The four businessmen didn't decide then and there to call themselves a
Rotary club, but their get-together was, in fact, the first meeting of the
world's first Rotary club. As they continued to meet, adding others to the
group, they rotated their meetings among the members' places of business,
hence the name. Soon after the club name was agreed upon, one of the new
members suggested a wagon wheel design as the club emblem. It was the
precursor of the familiar cogwheel emblem now worn by Rotarians around the
world. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members.
The second Rotary club was formed in 1908 half a continent away from
Chicago in San Francisco, California. It was a much shorter leap across
San Francisco Bay to Oakland, California, where the third club was formed.
Others followed in Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, California, and New
York City, New York. Rotary became international in 1910 when a club was
formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. By 1921 the organization was
represented on every continent, and the name Rotary International was
adopted in 1922.See the Rotary International timeline.
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| The 4-Way Test |
| One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of
business ethics in the world is the Rotary 4-Way Test. It was created by
Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 when he was asked to take charge of a company
that was facing bankruptcy. Taylor looked for a way to save the struggling
company mired in depression-caused financial difficulties. He drew up a 24-word
code of ethics for all employees to follow in their business and professional
lives. The 4-Way Test became the guide for sales, production, advertising and
all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is
credited to this simple philosophy.
Herb Taylor became president of Rotary International in 1954-55. The 4-Way Test
was adopted by Rotary in 1943 and has been translated into more than a hundred
languages. Here is the English version:
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Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the Truth ?
- Is it Fair to All Concerned ?
- Will it Build Goodwill & Better Friendships ?
- Will it be beneficial to All Concerned?
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| Angels-Murphys Rotary Club - Past Presidents |
| 2006-2007 |
Donna Stevenson |
| 2005-2006 |
David Studley |
| 2004-2005 |
Lynda Tusoni |
| 2003-2004 |
Michael Schwartz |
| 2002-2003 |
Larry Byrnes |
| 2001-2002 |
Al Smith |
| 2000-2001 |
Roger La Jeunesse |
| 1999-2000 |
Joe Wilimek |
| 1998-1999 |
Liz Millier |
| 1997-1998 |
Clayre Quick |
| 1996-1997 |
Robert Henkel |
| 1995-1996 |
Bob Watson |
| 1994-1995 |
JoAnne McDonald &
Chuck Milazzo |
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1993-1994 |
Chuck Milazzo |
| 1992-1993 |
Dr. Robert Coleman |
| 1991-1992 |
Vaughn Tribble |
| 1990-1991 |
Jay Quick |
| 1989-1990 |
Alan Armstrong |
| 1988-1989 |
Jerry Pezzi |
| 1987-1988 |
Maureen Elliott |
| 1986-1987 |
Keith Howmiller |
| 1985-1986 |
Tony Tyrrell |
| 1984-1985 |
Mearl Lucken |
| 1983-1984 |
Duane Papais |
| 1982-1983 |
Jordon Freitas |
| 1981-1982 |
Al DeNeveu |
| 1980-1981 |
John Weaver |
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| 1979-1980 |
Charter President - William B. Wolfson |
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