What Paul Harris Said

December 31st 2006

 

“We are here on earth and we are here to stay during our respectively allotted periods. How much of happiness and how much of misery shall be our share remains with us almost entirely to determine. If we possess a modicum of reason, it will be apparent to us that it is the part of wisdom to cheerfully make the best of the situation and to harmonize our own lives with nature's inexorable laws. We are entitled to the maximum of happiness; and may we be sane enough to observe that the route to a life full of happiness does not lie in intemperate indulgence.

We need and the world needs an optimistic, rational philosophy of life."

“The Distance Self” by Paul P Harris – The Rotarian, February 1914

 

 

As we move into the next year of our lives, it is always a time of reflection with the past and excitement for the future. In today’s uncertain world, let your own lives be full of happiness for 2007 and based on our simple but straightforward Rotary way of life.

 

For many of us, it is customary to sing the song "Auld Lang Syne" tomorrow. I close by copying down the first and last verses (in the original) for your enjoyment.

 

"Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot

  And never brought to mind?

Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot,

  And Auld Lang Syne!

 

...And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!

     And gie's a hand o' thine!

   And we'll tak a right gude-willie-waught,

  For Auld Lang Syne"

 

 

  

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

 

Please Note that from next week, our mailing features "Why I Am A Rotarian" and "What Paul Harris Said" will alternate on a weekly basis and be sent out each Saturday 

 

What Paul Harris Said

December 24th 2006

 

“Rotary, being invisible, spiritual, is intelligible to the higher order of things. Diamonds cannot comprehend Rotary, but friendship, sympathy, integrity, devotion, idealism can."

Paul P Harris' message to the RI Convention at Salt Lake City, 1919

 

Paul Harris' message to the 'Victory Convention' was, in the main, a passionate appeal for a new world of peace. At this time of year, on behalf of Rotary Global History, I wish you all a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

 

Ironically as we approach another new year, Rotary will meet up again by the great Salt Lake at the International Convention in June. Rotary Global History will be more than happy to meet you all at our annual gathering. There, together, we can explore and comprehend our Rotary movement through friendship and devotion etc. - just as Paul Harris did so many, many years ago.

 

 

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

What Paul Harris Said

December 17th 2006

 

“Rotary must not content itself with being anything less than a movement affecting the lives of all men and women; its requirements are so simple, its doctrines so universally acceptable that its sponsors are not visionary in thinking of Rotary as an all pervading influence.”

Paul P Harris, The Founder of Rotary” 1928

 

Modesty was just one characteristic of Paul Harris. For Paul Harris, the great ‘idea’ of founding our Rotary movement was quite simply an inevitable step in human nature.

 

Here, Paul dismisses himself as a visionary. I think most of us would find that absurd. To us, it was Paul Harris’ vision that has given us the movement we love. It is sometimes the most simple of ideas that are the most profound; the most natural concepts that are in fact the most far reaching.

 

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

 

Please Note that from January  2007, our mailing features "Why I Am A Rotarian" and "What Paul Harris Said" will alternate on a weekly basis and be sent out each Saturday

 

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

December 10th 2006

 

“Rotary is one of the best sources of establishing friendship because it offers an occasion to know people, and once we know people, generally we learn to like them.”

PRIP Armando de Arruda Pereira at the 1941 Convention, Denver, USA

 

December is Family month in our Rotary calendar. It’s a time to meet and greet our extended Rotary family. This family doesn’t just include our Rotary club member’s personal families but also those alumni of Rotary programs such as RYLA, Rotaract, Interact, Scholars and GSE. It’s a wonderful and appropriate time to meet up with old friends and to get to know those who will follow in our footsteps.

 

The greater the size of the Rotary family, the more good we can do in this world.

 

Please Note that from January  2007, our mailing features "Why I Am A Rotarian" and "What Paul Harris Said" will alternate on a weekly basis and be sent out each Saturday 

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

What Paul Harris Said

December 3rd 2006

 

“In the pursuit of happiness, men most frequently turn to wealth; in it they hope to find enduring happiness. Some look for it in the possession of gold, King Midas' sad experience notwithstanding. They hoard it beyond all possible needs.

Others expect to find it in the things which money can bring them: influence, power, business, and social prestige, the envy of those who are less opulent, and endless, interminable things.

 

…If we heed the guide posts and danger signals which seers have hung out for the benefit of travelers on life's highway, we shall not look for happiness in the possession of money, nor in the possession of things which money will buy."

Paul P Harris message on the 30^th anniversary of Rotary, 1935

 

This quotation reminds me of PRIP Cliff Dochterman’s theme for his Presidential Year – Real Happiness is Helping Others.

 

Both of our Past Presidents are simply stating the most obvious fact in any Rotarian's life.

 

Soon many Rotarians will be celebrating Christmas and looking forward to the New Year. Whatever plans you might make for 2007, consider Paul Harris’ words carefully.

 

Please Note that from January  2007, our mailing features "Why I Am A Rotarian" and "What Paul Harris Said" will alternate on a weekly basis and be sent out each Saturday. 

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

What Paul Harris Said

November 26th 2006

 

“Rotary is good for you, my friends. To the ill, it says, "Take up thy bed and walk." Rotary prolongs the life of hundreds of thousands of men; Rotary makes for health and happiness.”

Paul P Harris message to the 1946 Convention, Atlantic City

 

 

 

There is nothing so frightening in this world than Weapons of Mass Destruction. I'm not talking about bombs and guns but those things that cause real mass destruction to human life -Hunger, Poverty and destructive diseases such as HIV/Aids. Such weapons will not make the front pages of the newspapers yet they destroy more human lives each day or month or year than any war or conflict.

 

November is Rotary Foundation month. It's Mission or  What We Do is–
Improving Health, Supporting Education and Alleviating Poverty.

 

Rotarians through their Rotary Foundation can and will continue their fight against weapons of mass destruction -Every Rotarian, Every Year - by contributing to The Rotary Foundation.

 

Please Note that from January  2007, our mailing features "Why I Am A Rotarian" and "What Paul Harris Said" will alternate on a weekly basis and be sent out each Saturday.

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF Chairman

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

What Paul Harris Said

November 19th 2006

  

Rotary's supreme purpose is to serve; never (has) service (been) more appropriate than on the present occasion. How and where we shall serve remains for you to determine. May wisdom characterize your deliberations!

"Individual effort when well directed can accomplish much, but the greatest good must necessarily come from the combined efforts of many men. Individual effort may be turned to individual needs, but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation. This superlative power no man may appropriate to his own use. This is the world's sub‑conscious conclusion. We must clearly understand the justice of it and measure up to its requirements.

 

Paul P Harris’ message to the Atlanta Convention 1917

 

 

The ‘present occasion’ Paul Harris was referring to in 1917 was, of course, the First World War. Yet his sentiment is still so apt today – never has service been more appropriate than on the present occasion. I shall let the reader decide which ‘present occasion’ she or he would  refer us to today – perhaps a continuing violent conflict or a world health problem. Whatever the occasion, Rotary remains to serve.

 

At the same Atlanta convention, RI President Arch Klumph would announce his idea of an endowment fund – today it’s better known as Our Foundation. Yet, little known to Paul Harris or Arch Klumph at the time, this endowment fund would realize Paul’s prophetic observation. The power of combined effort knows no limitation – that’s the secret of our Foundation’s success.

 

Celebrate Rotary Foundation month.

 

Calum Thomson

RGHF President and Chairman of the RGHF Board 06/07

RC Longniddry & District,

D-1020, Scotland.

What Paul Harris Said

November 12th 2006

"War cannot go on forever. Peace must and shall come. The years ahead reserve for Rotary a most difficult and arduous task. To heal the wounds of a war-ravished world; to substitute for hate, mutual understanding and tolerance; to create affection where rancour exists; to change enemies into friends and replace excited passion and armed struggle by goodwill and international peace.”

Paul P Harris, "The Rotarian" 1942


On the eleventh hour of the eleventh month in 1918 the armistice was declared ending the Great War or, as it was known then, “The war to end all wars”. Sadly that was not the case and still, nearly 90 years on, our world still sees warfare and conflict.

Rotary’s weapons against warfare are all contained within The Rotary Foundation: - Peace Scholarships; Local and International Service Projects; Educational and Cultural Exchanges.

Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman
RC Longniddry & District,
D-1020, Scotland
 

What Paul Harris Said

November 5th 2006

"The foundation upon which Rotary is built is friendship; on no less firm foundation could it have stood."

Paul P Harris, 1935, "This Rotarian Age "

November is Rotary Foundation month.

Our Foundation has stood the test of time and is stronger today than ever before. It's programs are firmly built around Paul Harris’ vision of friendship. Together, as friends we participate in matching grant projects or select scholars and GSE teams to spread our fundamental belief in international peace and understanding.

http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/historians/blender.htm It is also heart-warming to read about RGHF Vice-Chairman Eddie Blender who recently was inducted into the Arch Klumph Society at Evanston.

PRIP RATTAKUL, PRIP MAJIYAGBE, RIP WILKINSON, RIP BOYD, EDDIE & PATTI BLENDER, PRIP GIAY AND PRIP ESTESS.

Eddie was also recently appointed chair of the Rotary Centers Major Gifts Initiative and has endowed a Rotary World Peace Fellowship.

It’s truly wonderful to see friends like Eddie (and Patti) building our Foundation into a remarkable institution for doing good in the world. With friends like these, The Rotary Foundation can realize its full potential.

Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman
RC Longniddry & District,
D-1020, Scotland.
 

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

October 29 2006

"Only if in each nation an informed public opinion actively works for peace can we avoid the international anarchy that would spell the end of civilization as we know it."

PRIP (1946-47) Richard C Hedke 'Let Rotary Speed the Action', The Rotarian July 1946

Past President Hedke wrote this just after the second world war. Hedke, from Detroit, Michigan, was born in Germany 61 years earlier and the great conflicts of the first half of the 20th century influenced him greatly.

As you will all know, the next year saw the death of our founder Paul Harris and the establishment of the Ambassadorial Scholarship program of the Foundation. But did you know that there is an earlier Rotary scholarship program?. The Georgia Rotary Scholarship Program was established in 1946 by Rotarians in that American state.

The scholarship program can be viewed at www.grsp.org and its aims and objectives are quoted below:

"Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities. Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary Club in their home country. The students become adopted members of a Georgia "host family," but live on-campus at the school they attend. This is a scholarship program, not an exchange! Each year, about 80 students from all over the world make friends in the United States and other nations and learn about differing cultures and life styles. Georgia Rotarians believe "Peace is Possible" and through GRSP promote international goodwill through the bonds of friendship and understanding."

This program has benefited students from many, many countries and is fully funded by Georgia Rotarians and their clubs. What generosity of spirit! Although not open to American students it is actually available to children and grandchildren of Rotarians throughout the world. As you can see, the program reflects our fundamental belief in through education, we can create a friendly and peaceful world.


Calum Thomson, Chairman 2006-2007
Rotary Global History
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org

What Paul Harris Said

October 22, 2006

“What is Rotary? Thousands have made answer each in his own way. It is easier to note what Rotary does than what it is. One recently has said, “If Rotary has encouraged us to take a more kindly outlook on life and men; if Rotary has taught us greater tolerance and the desire to see the best in others; if Rotary has brought us pleasant and helpful contacts with others who also are trying to capture and radiate the joy and beauty of life, then Rotary has brought us all that we can expect.”
Chicago, October, 1945
Paul P. Harris.From the forward to “My Road To Rotary”, Paul Harris, 1947

www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/myroad/

Harris wrote several articles in the month of October, including “Here comes the Enemy” an essay about the enemy “fear” for a conference in Japan in October of 1928. His October 1945 comment on tolerance and seeing “the best in others” is echoed in all of his writings. All of which may be read at www.whatpaulharriswrote.org.

Jack Selway
Founder, RGHF

What Paul Harris Said

October 15 2006

 

Dear RGHF Subscribers, 

This past Wednesday, 11 October was the sixth anniversary of RGHF. It began with one page, listing the first 50 clubs of Rotary, on the website of Rotary Club of Pueblo #43.

Today, in observation of this week’s anniversary we extend an invitation to all of our readers. When we started “What Paul Harris Said” in the winter of 2001, it was an idea from past Rotary International Director Lynn Hammond. In a conversation with RGHF Founder Jack Selway, Director Hammond suggested “Let Paul Harris do the talking” when it came to Rotary values. Selway started the feature with this first mailing, shown below, to a list of about 100 individuals. That list has grown to over 7,000.

 

Here is that first issue of WPHS:

“What Paul Harris Said

30 December 2001

"Since the beginning of civilization, there has been a surplus of sayers of things. If there is any one particular in which I would have Rotary distinguished from other organizations, it is in the quality of character which results in the doing of things." 

Paul Harris, Message to the 1921 RI Convention in Edinburgh, Scotland. http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1921message.htm

 This is the first in a weekly series of "What Paul Harris Said," from The "History" Project, at Rotary Global History.  

Certainly Paul Harris would have pride and admiration for what Rotarians have done to eliminate Polio, through PolioPlus, just these past two decades or so. 

But, as kind and loving, toward Rotary, as Paul always was, he would also ask if each of us had truly done a part of this. And that's a Rotary minute from Rotary Global History.”
Jack Selway, Founder, Rotary Global History.

 

Today, as we celebrated the 6^th anniversary of RGHF and with the growth of RGHF, virtually everything Paul Harris every “wrote” is preserved at www.whatpaulharriswrote.org. By visiting this section and reading what he and other Rotary leaders had to say about such values as tolerance, peace, neighborliness, and understanding… you can find a quote that speaks to you and create your own “What Paul Harris Said.” From the beginning our intent was to bring these words to life with your comments of today’s relevance. You may also read comments bout our features at www.rghfforum.org and if you register for an RGHF membership, you can post your own comments there. www.joinrghf.org

 

We’ll look forward finding out what you learn from our history along with your own wisdom.

 

Yours for Rotary Global History, 

 

Calum Thomson, Chairman 2006-2007
Rotary Global History
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

October 8 2006

 

“I believe that the great opportunity and the great responsibility of Rotary rests in the field of building character, in the building of men. In fact, I think this is the great task of all Rotary Clubs, building men who will be available for service in the various walks of life; in politics, in business, in community affairs, and in their homes as fathers and husbands. There is such a great need for good citizenship and leadership. There are many fields in which the real leader is welcome -and needed. There is the problem of corruption and waste in local government. There is the problem of strife between employer and employee. There is the problem of crime in the streets. There is the problem of international peace and understanding.

 

But I think the greatest opportunity for Rotary is in developing leaders who will take their religious faith, and the ideals that come from it, and put them into practice in everyday life, in the home, in business, and in the community activities. If we take the ideals of truth, justice and love of our fellow men, and put them into constant practice, Rotarians can work wonders. And this means that Rotary can work wonders because the measure of Rotary lies in the life of the average Rotarian. It is the way of life he leads and the way he treats his fellow men.”

 

Herbert J Taylor, President of ROTARY/One 1940

 

This October, we celebrate Vocational Service – a cornerstone of the Rotary movement. PRIP Taylor, who gave us that most essential of ethical codes, the 4 Way Test, would surely approve of our 2006/07 theme- “Lead The Way”.

 

In programs such as RYLA, Rotarians also lead the way in developing young men and women for adulthood – building character by building men (and women).

 

No matter how much the RYLA course costs each club and district – from $10 to many hundreds of dollars – the outcome is the same the world over. Wherever there is RYLA, there is an atmosphere of achievement, fun and laughter as youngsters learn the joys of working together as a team and of taking responsibility for themselves. They see the Rotary movement for what it is – a movement that can work wonders.

 

Calum Thomson

Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,
District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said

October 1, 2006

"But, we ask, must the best genius of men be devoted to the science of war and none to the science of averting it?" Paul P. Harris – Guest Editorial in the February issue of The Rotarian “We Must Plan for Peace.” http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1940peace.htm 

As with all of Paul Harris’ quote, reading the entire article, in this case http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1940peace.htm is essential to understanding his thoughts and the context of the quote. Our continued gratitude to RGHF senior historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler for acquiring a vast collection of Rotary Global History and making this and other articles of Harris available at www.whatpaulharriswrote.org 

This article, a guest editorial in the February 1940 issue of The Rotarian is a warning of pending, and ongoing war and inquires why we don’t plan for peace.

Jack Selway
Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
RGHF
Member: Rotary E-Club of the South West USA
 

What Paul Harris Said

September 24 2006

 

"Faith, hope, charity and clean business, these four and the greatest of these is clean business. Charity sometimes destroys initiative and demoralizes character; clean business never does. If business is clean, there will be much less need of charity because clean business means not only a fair deal to the buyer, but also a living wage to the employee. Rotary will continue to be charitable but it can do more than that; let it remove the cause of that which makes charity necessary.”

Paul P. Harris in his message to the 1916 Convention in Cincinnati.  http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/conventions/1916convmessage.htm

 

This message from Rotary founder Paul Harris is worth considering, but read the entire article to get the full focus of his intent. If we “clean our own front porch” as the poet Goethe wrote, then many of the world’s ills will be resolved. We can’t do it all, but we can do something worthwhile in our own enterprises.

 

Jack Selway
Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
Rotary Global History
Member: Rotary E-Club of The Southwest, USA

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

September 17 2006

 

“I believe we can change the world, one life at a time. No project is too small or insignificant, especially to those who benefit. My hope is that these seeds of service will blossom and live on for countless generations to come”.

RI President 2002-03 Bhichai Rattakul

 

Most men and women become Rotarians because they care. They care about each other. They care about their communities. They care about the world they live in. Wherever Rotarians meet they are united by their concern for their communities and their neighbors, whether these communities and neighbors are local or in another part of the world. They care about their fellow members of the human family struggling to survive and succeed in today’s world, many of whom are beset by daunting problems; poverty, poor health care, poor nutrition, lack of sanitation and shelter, lack of good drinking water. Others lack the education and training that is needed to find jobs. Still others live in communities fraught with conflict, plagued by crime and violence stemming from drugs and alcohol abuse and other causes.

 

Rotarians also love and care about the world’s children, too many of whom are exploited, abandoned or ignored. They care about the elderly, many of whom are pushed into the corners of society. They also dream of a world free from hunger and sickness, without warfare or violence where children are loved and not abused and where the elderly live with dignity.

 

Remember those words (from PRIP Rattakul) and apply them to everything you do.

 

Amanda Young,
District RYLA Officer 2005/06,
Rotary Club of Livingston

D -1020

 

September is New Generations Month.

 

It was on September 12th 1872, that our first RI Secretary Ches Perry was born. For more monthly events in the Rotary calendar - visit www.historycalendar.org

What Paul Harris  Said

September 10 2006

 

THEN CAME THE ENEMY

 

“The enemy is patient and farseeing; he bides his time. There's a time to wait and a time to strike. The time to strike has frequently been called the "zero hour," sometimes the "psychological moment."

 

He came, not noisily, boisterously, because to have done so would have been to defeat his cause. The enemy was clothed in the wisdom of years, possessed of the cunning of the fox. He was no mean enemy.

 

He crept stealthily into the homes of men of all walks of life, the homes of poets, ministers, law makers, historians and philosophers and also into the homes of peasants, seamen, bricklayers and draymen; he even managed to elude the guards and to slip through the doors of penitentiaries and alms houses. The enemy was in fact almost omnipresent; almost omnipotent; the only place he dared not go was into the graves of dead men.

 

The wisdom of waiting for the psychological hour is manifest when one remembers it takes time to fill granaries, erect factories, grow trees, build churches, colleges and universities. When the psychological hour arrives, the product of all of these institutions will be needed, sorely needed.

Intolerance may be vice or virtue, dependent upon what it is directed against. Intolerance of intolerance is a virtue. War may be either vice or virtue; the most virtuous war is the war against war.”

Then Came the Enemy [October 1928] Message to the Pacific Rotary Conference at Tokyo, By Paul P. Harris 

Learn who Harris felt was the real enemy. http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1928tokyo.htm

 

I felt that this piece of Harris’ might provoke some thought. Our readers should read the entire commentary of Harris at:  http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1928tokyo.htm  It’s interesting that, in all his years of writing, from about 1911 to just before his death in 1947, Paul Harris seldom wrote about “war” or its devastation, but wrote mostly about how we might bring about peace. So, this week’s feature is not related to the events, five years ago, in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, but in the tradition of Rotary’s founder and other Rotary leaders since, offers thoughts on good will and understanding. Please visit www.peacehistory.org for more from Rotary’s leaders and other writers on “peace.”

 

In tribute to the awful events of 2001, RGHF has a complete section dedicated to 9/11 at http://www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/clubs/ny/index.htm  There you will find emails from around the world, eyewitness reports, essays, and a retrospective from our RGHF eyewitness, past RGHF chairman Matts Ingemanson.

 

 From the numerous comments sent by you, our readers, we are looking into creating a “discussion board” or “BLOG” for RGHF members. I’d be interested in your thoughts on this. Our thinking about “members’ only” is primarily to prevent postings from the “scavengers of the internet” who find ways to automatically post to open bulletin boards and try to sell unwanted materials and worse.

 

Jack Selway
Founder, Secretary, and Managing Webmaster RGHF
Member: Rotary E-Club of The Southwest, USA

What Paul Harris Said

September 3 2006

 

"I think that Rotary's fundamental purpose will be with business; that civic and charitable activities should not be discouraged, but should be given secondary consideration, not because of any lack of importance, but because there are specialized organizations to take care of their needs. Civic and charitable activities seem to me by‑products."

Paul P. Harris in a message to a business round table at the 1916 convention in Cincinnati. http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/conventions/1916cincinatti.htm

 

It is my opinion that Harris makes a very important statement here. Rotary is primarily “business people” and if we focus our energies on ethics, productivity, ingenuity in business, then as he suggests, we would do great good. There were then and are now other organizations that specialize in civic and charitable enterprises. His suggestion is that these be a by product of our focus on business, and might I add world peace as a by-product of the highest standards of good business.

 

Jack Selway
Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
Rotary Global History
Member: Rotary E-Club of the South West USA

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

- August 26 2006


"Each club is a link in the great chain of Rotary. When one club does a service for its community, every club glows with the reflected radiance"

Chesley R Perry 1957 (extract from The Rotary Life of Chesley Reynolds Perry, ROTARY/One Foundation 2006)

The Rotary Foundation's Matching Grants Program has firmly established itself as the "jewel in the crown" of our humanitarian programs. The Program is often misunderstood. It is designed to provide funds for long-term, sustainable projects in areas of need.

Such projects operate in regions hit hard by natural disasters such as the Tsunami disaster. Rotary Foundation resources are being used by Rotary Clubs around the world to help the victims in South East Asia to this day, long after the TV cameras have packed up and gone away.

By working with your district Rotary Foundation Grants sub-committee and our dedicated staff at Evanston, our hopes and dreams can come reality. Never give up on your humanitarian vision; there is a massive amount of resources and help for clubs wishing to embark on Matching Grant missions.

Changes in the Matching Grant rules in 2005 makes it vital that clubs work together to finance larger projects that will qualify for the minimum grant of $5,000. If your club, alone, cannot finance a suitably sized project, why not ask a neighboring club(s) or your mother/daughter club for help? The Rotary Foundation welcomes joint initiatives in the pursuit of world peace and understanding -this is what Ches Perry meant when he talked of the "great chain of Rotary."

Read about these humanitarian programs in your copy of The Rotarian or on the RI website.

Calum Thomson
Chairman RGHF
RC, Longniddry & District,
District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said

- August 20 2006

 

 “Remember that great missions are serious undertakings. Do not expect to perform great missions in a day.”

Paul Harris, The Rotarian September 1912

                       

The greatest ‘mission’ of Rotary International lies within its Fourth Object of Rotary: “World Understanding, Goodwill and Peace”.

 

With violence flaring up once again in the middle east between Israel and Hezbollah and gruesome terrorist threats uncovered last week in the UK, such a mission seems many, many years away.

 

Thank goodness that we have initiated our Rotary World Peace Scholarships.

 

Should we have initiated such a program? Absolutely.

 

Does the world need a cadre of professional experts dedicated to educating the world in ‘world peace and understanding’? More than ever.

 

It may take some years for the world to recognize Rotary’s commitment to conflict resolution, but already graduates of Rotary’s Peace Program are making an impact and one day humanity will say: "Thank you Rotary."

 

Calum Thomson

Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said

- August 13 2006

 

"The old catalogue listed goods which were considered sacred. Men, women and children bowed before them in abject humility. Whether in church, on the golf course or at a Rotary club luncheon, their thoughts were upon them. They were listed in the catalogue as possessions. Whatever the spoken prayer may have been, too oft the inner prayer was: "God grant us abundant possessions." The hunger for possessions obscured the desire for the wholesome things of life; it was pervasive of morals, inimical to higher concepts, destructive of real happiness, devastating."

 Paul P. Harris in his message to the 1934 Convention in Detroit http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/conventions/1934detroit.htm

 

It was a frequent theme of founder Paul Harris to bring our attention to the great values of life. “Things” are just not important. He had a vision of a new order where fellowship would be the “order” of the new world. He saw it happening. Can we see that today and can we be inspired by Harris’ writing to make that world grow in our time? All of Harris’ inspired writing is found at www.whatpaulharriswrote.org

 

Jack Selway
Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org
Member: Rotary E-Club of the South West USA

What Paul Harris Said

- August 6 2006

 

“The world is not so much in need of great production as it is in need of a right about faith in its view of life. The glorification of the material has been tried and found wanting. If it may become the purpose of men, each in his own way, to achieve spiritual instead of material results, the storms of adversity need never be feared and prosperity will have a new and abiding meaning.

 Rotary is one of the means to that end. The Golden Rule is universal. Its spirit found expression both among Oriental and Occidental peoples in the early days of history. Rotary seeks to stimulate men of this modern age to make the Golden Rule operative in the activities of each day, in business life, in the community, in the nation, and in international relations.

 Friendship constitutes an enrichment of life. Without it life would be barren indeed. Understanding is the handmaid of friendship. Without it friendship cannot exist, With the growth of understanding, concepts of superiority and inferiority vanish. We are all God's children. As one member of a family is essential to the others, so is each nation in the family of nations essential to all other nations.” http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1931viennaconvention.htm

Paul P. Harris in his message to the 1931 convention of Rotary International at Vienna.

 

Clearly Rotary Founder Paul Harris hoped for all Rotarians to return to spiritual roots, however they understand that. Clearly Harris understood the greater life that we live beyond the physical and often self-serving world. He was not preaching religion; he was stating facts about a way of life that we espouse in the “Four Way Test”, “Service above Self” and the Object of Rotary. For Rotary to fill the needs of this troubled world, we must listen to Harris and yearn for something greater that can heal us and those around us. Harris hoped that all Rotarians would understand the value of friendship, of neighborliness as the way to world peace.

 

In the February issue of The Rotarian, Harris wrote an essay to celebrate the 27th birthday of Rotary, and to put in perspective the losses and gains of the Great Depression. However, his essay is vital reading today for anyone who finds themselves a prisoner of their own possessions. It is valuable philosophy for those who wish to build their lives and Rotary to the power for world peace so much needed in today’s world. Our thanks to the work of RGHF senior historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler who is preserving everything every written by Rotary Founder Paul Harris. www.whatpaulharriswrote.org

 

Jack Selway, Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
Rotary Global History
Member: Rotary E-Club of The Southwest, USA

What Paul Harris Said

- July 30 2006

 

 

“The sailing of a boat in fair weather is not the best test of seamanship; the maintenance of good cheer when everything is coming one's way is not the best test of disposition; the pursuit of an enemy who is on the run, is not the best test of courage.”

Paul P. Harris, in The Rotarian, February 1932 

 

 In the February issue of The Rotarian, Harris wrote an essay to celebrate the 27^th birthday of Rotary, and to put in perspective the losses and gains of the Great Depression. However, his essay is vital reading today for anyone who finds themselves a prisoner of their own possessions. It is valuable philosophy for those who wish to build their lives and Rotary to the power for world peace so much needed in today’s world.

 

Our thanks to the work of RGHF senior historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler who is preserving everything every written by Rotary Founder Paul Harris. www.whatpaulharriswrote.org

 

Jack Selway, Founder & Secretary/Webmaster
Rotary Global History
Member: Rotary E-Club of The Southwest, USA

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

-         July 23 2006

 

"   God has made us Guardians of the Earth.  This planet is our heritage as well as our legacy.  Let's keep it in Peace, fill it with Love, honor it with Service.   Let's preserve it.  "

Paulo VC Costa, President RI 1990-91

 

We must take the first steps in the colossal undertaking of mobilizing our fellow Rotarians and their clubs in this vital mission to preserve our planet from the aggressions it has suffered in the name of progress and development.

 

PRIP Paulo Costa very often quoted the words of the American Suquamish Indian Chief Seattle stressing:

" All things are interconnected.  Whatever befalls the earth befalls the people of the earth.  Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it.  Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself." 

 

At the Rotary International Environmental Seminar on Air Pollution in Chicago on August 13th 1990, PRIP Paulo Costa insisted that: 

"Rotarians, as citizens of the world, must take the lead in facing the greatest challenge in human history, the survival of our planet."

"We must not leave solutions to Governments alone.  We must all help. We must change the mindsets that have permitted, even encouraged, waste and extravagance. We must change our habits and actions, personally, in our communities, in our businesses.  Ecology is a question for the whole world to address, not just developing countries." 

 

At Rotary International's Environmental Conference in Manaus/Brazil, amid the splendor of the Amazon Rain Forest, PRIP Paulo Costa continued:

"If every nation on this earth, developed or still developing, does not make responsible choices for our future, the entire planet will suffer the consequences.  Fewer trees means less rainfall.  The rain that does fall washes topsoil away.  And burning the trees sends carbon into the air, where it can contribute to the greenhouse effect.  It is no longer a question of the beauty and integrity of nature.  The future of humankind - and every other species is at stake."

"There are very few organizations with Rotary's potential to communicate good ideas.  It is not our own good we seek, but it is the good of the Earth and those who inhabit it."

 

Marco Kappenberger

Rotary E-Club of Latinoamérica, President 2006-07,

President, Environment Fellowship of Rotarians

What Paul Harris Said

- July 16 2006

 

 

“Shall we ever understand that the other fellow’s necessities should have precedence over our luxuries, our absurdities?  If so, then we shall attain the estate of the brotherhood of man.”

 

Paul P. Harris – The Rotarian – February 1917, on the occasion of Rotary’s 12^th Anniversary

 

Congratulations to our new Rotary Global History Fellowship Chair, Calum Thomson, who recently became a Major Donor of The Rotary Foundation.  The 2006-2007 Annual Programs Fund giving goal is $120 million – a goal that would easily be surpassed if every Rotarian took the above words of our founder to heart (and pocketbook).

 

 If we are to SERVE in Rotary, we must each do our part to ensure that adequate funds are available, “Enabling Rotarians to Advance World Understanding, Goodwill and Peace” with programs that “Improve Health, Support Education and Alleviate Poverty.”  Or, as our TRF Mission states, “Doing Good in the World.”

 

PDG Geri Appel
Rotary Club of Wichita, Ks

RGHF Treasurer

Rotary Foundation Annual Programs Fund Advisor for USA and Canada

What Paul Harris Said

- July 9 2006

 

 “Watchman, what of the night? The morning Cometh  -Let the morning come soon". (quote from Isaiah 21: 11, 12)

Paul P Harris’ final words to the 1941 Convention in Denver

 

It is now one year since the G8 summit held in my native Scotland. I am reminded of the promises the richest nations of the world made to the world twelve months ago. In the UK, our media –just for a brief moment – concentrated on real stories that affect the majority of the world’s population. These stories focused on poverty, hunger and disease.

 

I am also reminded of those few days last July each time I hear the song ‘Comfortably Numb’ by the English Rock group Pink Floyd who re-united after 22 years of bickering and litigation to perform at the Live 8 concert in London’s Hyde Park.

 

I pray you never 'become comfortably numb' to the suffering of mankind or to our duties as Rotarians to humanitarian service.

 

Amongst the various promises (the G8 made) to help some of the poorest countries in the world was this obligation –

“Supporting the polio eradication initiative for the post eradication period in 2006-08 through continuing or increasing our own contribution towards the $829 million target and mobilizing the support of others. We are pleased that the funding gap of 2005 has been met".

 

Through recent initiatives like the PolioPlus Partners Program, the morning will come soon, a bright new dawn where polio is consigned to medical history.

 

Calum Thomson

Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

- July 2 2006

 

“As Rotarians, we are not content to let matters stay the way they have always been in our clubs or in our communities. We are not content with the status quo, and we do not look at a problem only to say someone else will solve it. We are the ones who ask, 'Why not us?' We are the ones with the skills and the desire to build a better future. And we are the ones who must Lead the Way."

RI President 2006/07 Bill Boyd

 

At the International Assembly in San Diego, it was reported that “Boyd doesn't remember the moment "Lead the Way" popped into his head. All he knows is that "it just felt right." “

 

Where did RI President elect Bill get his inspiration and this theme?

 

-         consider the "What Paul Harris Said" minute for July 10th 2005.

-          

"Rotary must make haste even to keep up; but we must do more, we must lead."

Paul Harris' message to RI Convention, Atlanta, GA, 1917

 

President Bill believes that Rotarians can change this world and all of us must be willing to accept their responsibility as community leaders in moving the organization forward. This affirmation is put neatly in his theme: Lead The Way –a theme for all Rotarians.

 

Calum Thomson

Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said - June 25 2006

“The doctrine of “Service Not Self” has at times been said to be too idealistic to be practicable. Very well, for the sake of argument, concede that to be the case, it cannot be too idealistic to constitute our ideal. If we aim at the high mark we may acquit ourselves credibly even if we fall short of our full expectation.”

Paul Harris The Rotarian, September 1912

http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1912annualreport.htm

 

As President Carl-Wilhelm takes his final bow as Rotary International President, we remember his faith in Rotary’s fundamental theme of Service Above Self and unashamedly repeat the WPHS message of one year ago.

 

Asked to contribute to our other weekly feature:, “Why I Am A Rotarian” – www.whyiam.org Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammer said this:

“Presented with the opportunity to help others in society less fortunate than I, it was not very difficult to accept such membership. I am fully aware that, like many others, my contribution will only be a drop in the ocean. However, as Mother Teresa said, ‘Without that drop, the ocean will never be full.’

That is why I am a Rotarian.”  President Carl-Wilhelm

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District, District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

- June 18 2006

 

 “Political Governments have established a League of Nations; Rotary has established a League of Men, devoted to the ideal of service and dedicated to the ultimate accomplishment of world peace.”

Arch Klumph, The Rotarian 1928

 

In recent times, Arch Klumph’s legacy, The Rotary Foundation, established Rotary Centers for International Studies in Peace and Conflict Resolution in many educational establishments around the world. The centers will  help raise the profile of the Foundation as advocates for peace.

 

These Centers work towards the following –

 

Mediation, conflict resolution, and peace where there is war,
understanding where there is disharmony,
food security where there is hunger,
health care where there is disease,
education where there is illiteracy,
conservation where there is environmental degradation,
sustainable economic development where there is poverty.

 

World Peace Fellows are dedicated, high caliber leaders devoted to accomplishing world peace. 

 

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said - June 11 2006

 

“I was then put on board the ferry—boat bound for Denmark, On landing I took train for Copenhagen. Sweden had been added to the list of countries covered.

The delegation who met me in Copenhagen impressed me as being extremely friendly, full of fun and not in the least formal, The go of the district said that I was to call him ‘Chas. and the president of the club said that to me he was to be “Lindy”, Chas drove his admonition home by stating that I could not fail to remember his name, it was so like “Ches” Perry's. While “Lindy” said that there could be no excuse for any American forgetting the name “Lindy”. Good natured chaff seeming to be the order of the day; I fell very naturally into it. I met my old friend, T. C. Thomsen, at the banquet, which, by the way, was the largest in attendance, except the anniversary celebration in London. Later in the week I visited “T.C. and his gracious and highly talented wife at their home.

I have never spent a busier five days than those in Copenhagen. They were full of incidents from morning until night save for my usual rest period in the afternoon, whenever rest was practicable.

One of my chief interests in Copenhagen was to make observation of the youth hostels movement in which the Rotarians of Denmark have done yeoman service. Rotarian Hempel, a young Dane of thirty-eight years of age, who is now the head of a dozen different corporations, all of his own creation, drove me about in the district surrounding Copenhagen where we visited three of the youth hostels, enough to enable me to get a good idea of what is being done. There are now about one hundred and fifty of these well regulated hostels where young hikers from all nations can have good clean beds and breakfasts for an astonishingly small sum, approximately fifteen cents in American money. I am told that it would be easily possible for a group of Chicago boys to spend a summer In Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland at a total expense less than three hundred dollars and that sum would include rail ad water transportation both ways, assuming, of course, that they are willing to hike or bicycle from point to point as the European youths are doing.” Paul P. Harris on his trip to Europe in 1932  http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/europe1932/

 

We thought it would be fitting to use Paul Harris’ recollection of his trip to Copenhagen just 74 years ago. Can’t you imagine him there, where thousands of you are now attending the Rotary International Convention? Enjoy and visit the RGHF booth at H-010 in the Bella Center, Copenhagen

 

 

Yours in Rotary Service,

Jack Selway, RGHF Founder, Webmaster, and Secretary Elect
Rotary E-Club South West USA

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary leaders) Said

- June 4 2006

 

 

“(Rotary’s) existence is justified not by the incidental benefit to a few, but by the things which are of equal benefit to all. That is, becoming a true service club.”

 

Chesley R Perry 1919 (extract from ‘The Rotary Life of Chesley Reynolds Perry’ ©ROTARY/One Foundation 2006

 

In 1908, Rotary/One recruited our famous ‘builder’ of the Rotary movement. Ironically enough this was the same year that researchers isolated the poliomyelitis virus.

 

Recently, Hollywood actress Mia Farrow joined RGHF Director and District Governor of D-7230, Helen Reisler and RGHF Chairman and district 7230 secretary Matts Ingemanson at their district conference.

 

UNICEF ambassador Mia Farrow is committed to working with Rotary to eliminate this disease. She said, “Many people do not know that I was diagnosed with polio when I was 9 years old. I think the fact that I'm a survivor has really heightened my awareness and impacted the choices I've made. I know what it is like for these children to be stigmatized."

 

Eradicating the scourge of polio is certainly of ‘equal benefit to all’ (mankind). It is Rotary’s gift to the world.

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris  Said

- May 28, 2006

 

 

“The thoughts of others are as necessary to one’s mental well-being as food is necessary to one’s physical well-being”

 

Paul Harris, The Founder of Rotary, 1928.

 

The Rotary Foundation’s future vision committee has proactively sought the thoughts and dreams of all Rotarians from every part of the world. The more we share our ideas, the more we can truly create the greatest charitable foundation in the world. Contrary to popular belief, the Trustees of Rotary Foundation listen to the thoughts and opinions of all Rotarians.

 

Incoming Chairman of the Trustees, PRIP Luis has outlined his vision for our Foundation. He is absolutely right to earmark our humanitarian programs as the ‘superstar’ of the Rotary Foundation. These programs continue to affect the lives of thousands upon thousands of the world’s citizens.

 

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said

- May 21, 2006

 

 

“How should we build the Foundation? It is to be done by voluntary participation only. It is neither to be an assessment nor a tax.”

 

Arch Klumph, RI President 1916-17, The Rotarian 1935

 

RI Training leader and RIBI President for 2007/08 Allan Jagger (with his typical Yorkshire bluntness) announced to the International Assembly in February that  "There is sufficient money in Rotary to fund every program that the imagination of Rotarians can come up with. The problem is, it's still in the pockets of Rotarians!"

 

Alan also repeated the sad fact that 70% of Rotarians never give to our Foundation.

 

The Paul Harris Society is a newly approved fund development program designed to attract those Rotarians who can pledge $1,000 every year to the annual programs fund. It is readily accepted that such a program is not for everyone but freely available to all Rotary districts and remains true to Arch Klumph’s vision of 90 years ago.

  

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

April 1, 2006

 

“What is Rotary? What is it all about? … Beneath Rotary’s many and varied activities, there is the unchanging undertones of goodwill, goodwill, goodwill.”

 

Paul Harris’ message on the 39^th birthday of Rotary, – February 23, 1944.

 

 

This quote is, by far, my absolute favorite message from the founder of Rotary. It uses the single word of ‘goodwill’ to summarize what Rotary is – perhaps you have an alternative single-word definition – is it ‘friendship’; or ‘service’; or ‘compassion’?

 

All of these single utterances recognize our diversity and succinctly explain why a mass worldwide movement such as Rotary is so successful – the only way possible – by our undying commitment to help, respect and love our neighbor.

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said – March 25, 2006

 

  

“Throughout time there have been Protestants against the idea that happiness is to be found in possessions. The Great teacher said that happiness comes from within. The destitute philosopher Spinoza refused the gift of one thousand dollars because he feared it would pervert his mind”

 

Paul Harris – address to the 1943 Convention at St. Louis

 

 

Rotarians gift one thousand dollars to The Rotary Foundation and join the ever-growing numbers of Paul Harris Fellows. Happiness indeed comes from within; from within our hearts – and happiness can be found by looking, not at what we own, but at what we can achieve through The Rotary Foundation’s wonderful programs.

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said – March 18, 2006

 

“I have never spent a busier 5 days than those in Copenhagen. They were full of incidents from morning until night save for my usual rest period in the afternoon, whenever rest was practicable.”

 

Paul Harris

Peregrinations (unpublished) 1932

  

Traveling from Sweden, Paul had to take both the ferry-boat and then train in order to reach the Danish capital over 60 years ago. In June, thousands of Rotarians from all over the world will make a similar journey when we meet up for the historic Malmo-Copenhagen Convention – as recommended by the founder of Rotary!

 

Register here at –

http://www.rotary.org/events/conventions/malmo-copenhagen/register.html

 

When you are the Malmo-Copenhagen Convention of 2006, please visit our Rotary Global History booth number H-010 in the House of Friendship. We very much would like to meet you in person.

 

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

District 1020, Scotland

What Paul Harris Said – March 12, 2006

“The Four-Way Test…gives a man self-respect when he carries it out. No matter what other people may think of him, he knows what he is inside; following the Four-Way Test erases self-doubts and anxieties. He is stronger for it, and he feels he is closer to God and to the ethics and other important characteristics we all yearn for so deeply. In time - without fail – anyone who follows the Four-Way Test faithfully will notice that others think more highly of him also. You can see how important this philosophy is for young people: the earlier they apply the test, the earlier they begin to realize their true potential in whatever field of endeavor they choose to enter.”

From “God Has A Plan For You by”Herbert J Taylor, Past President Rotary International 1954-55

As Rotarians we must work tirelessly to get our belief in high ethical standards across to all young people in our communities. Rotary’s emphasis on youth activities are designed to bring the best out of our future community leaders by imbuing them with a sense of good citizenship.

This March, (13-19) we celebrate one such program - Rotaract: Rotary club-sponsored clubs for young adults (ages 18-30) for the purpose of developing Civic Leaders (and Rotarians) for the future.

Calum Thomson

Vice-Chairman RGHF

RC, Longniddry & District,

What Paul Harris Said – March 5, 2006

"If by interposition of Providence I someday were to find myself standing on a platform in some great Coliseum looking into the eyes of every living Rotarian, and were to be told that I could have one word to say, without an instant's hesitation and at the top of my voice, I would shout "Toleration!"

Paul P Harris in the first ever edition of ‘The (National) Rotarian’ January 1911

Toleration – this should be the focal point for every Rotarian. If we can understand and respect every point of view within our club membership; within our nation; within our world community -then we are, surely, on that path to fully realizing our dream of world peace and understanding.

Rotary is one movement embracing and celebrating the rich variety of all cultures, peoples and nations.

What Paul Harris Said – February 25, 2006

“Formation of a new club brings change to the old club, forces the existing club to look at its "conventionalities" and often brings about positive change. A newly created club forces its "older" club to become better.  Everyone benefits - - the community, Rotary International, new members and existing members -- from the formation of new Rotary clubs.”

Paul P. Harris,
In his address to the 1930 Rotary International Convention

Have you ever been involved in starting a new club?  Rotary extension is a most important part of membership growth, yet it seems there are always naysayers who espouse doomsday scenarios culminating in the death, demise/ruination of the old and new entities.

Nothing is further from the truth.  New start-ups always are a win/win

What Paul Harris Said – February 18, 2006

"Grandfather was an ambassador of good-will in the eyes of the youngster who sat at his table during his impressionable years; he never spoke evil of any man nor of any man's religion or politics."

My Road to Rotary,
by Paul Harris, page 208,
copyright Rotary International

To read Paul's last article in its entirety please visit here:

What Paul Harris Said – February 4, 2006

"The most urgent need at the present stage in the development of Rotary is not more clubs' nor `larger clubs'; it is the evolution of a truer and stronger philosophy.  It is not only necessary to the permanency of the success of Rotary that its philosophy be idealized and standardized. It must also be practicalized and trued.”

Paul P. Harris
The National Rotarian, November 1911
(From "Honoring our Past" copyright Rotary International)

There is the need to strengthen and teach our history and philosophy.  Is there a better place to teach our history than at PETS leadership Assemblies and Institutes?  What better time than now as we approach we begin our second century of service.

Edward “Eddie” Blender
The Rotary Club of Edwards (Down Valley)
D5470 Colorado, USA

What Paul Harris Said – January 29, 2006

January's theme is Rotary Awareness

 “Rotary has satisfactorily demonstrated the fact that friendship can easily hurdle national and religious boundary lines."

Paul P. Harris
Page 61 from "This Rotarian Age" 1935

Fun, fellowship and friendship begins each Rotary meeting and is the key that unlocks minds and hearts to service.

What Paul Harris Said – January 22, 2006

January's theme is Rotary Awareness

“It is well to know ourselves if only so that we may know wherein we may improve ourselves.”

Paul P. Harris
An Anniversary address to the U.S. Central Division
Conference at Chicago, February 22, 1915

When Paul Harris said we – he meant Rotary.  Each day for Paul Harris was a new adventure, started with enthusiasm and passion.

What Paul Harris Said – January 14, 2006

"Rotary has a long way to go. One who thinks of the movement as a finished product is indeed short sighted; there is nothing in the past to justify such a view; those who have been long identified with it think of it as having made a beginning only; the grandeur of Rotary must be in the days to come". 

Paul P. Harris,
“The Founder of Rotary” Page 122

Rotarians learn from each other; we learn from the men and women who care enough to help build a better world.  What better teachers are there then our predecessors in Rotary?  Read their stories, read their accomplishments. You will be convinced, and a convinced leader becomes an extraordinary convincer.

What Paul Harris Said – January 7, 2006

January's theme is Rotary Awareness

 “Since the beginning of civilization, there has been a surplus of sayers of things. If there is any one particular in which I would have Rotary distinguished from other organizations, it is in the quality of character which results in the doing of things.”