From RGHF
Rotary Global History
www.rghf.org
Sent 20 December 2008
RGHF Rotary Minute for December 2008. For over eight years, RGHF has been
serving Rotarians with regular weekly Rotary related features. These
features have been valuable to YOU, in part, because they convey the common
experience and heritage of nearly 104 years of Rotary. What these features
and the tens of thousands of articles on our 3,000 page website have in
common is our shared value of Service above Self, the Four Way Test, and our
entire history (plus the contributions and input from individual Rotarians).
As RGHF celebrates eight fruitful years of service to Rotary, we ask each
recipient (YOU) of this month’s combined feature to send this on to all
past, present, and future Rotary club, district, and zone officers so that
our work may help them with retention.
As RGHF future president Frank Longoria, USA, wrote in his monthly RGHF
report: The motivating force behind this endeavor is the belief that
Rotarians who have a clear understanding of Rotary history are infinitely
more likely to remain as Rotarians for life and are more inclined to
contribute generously to the Rotary Foundation.
Our efforts in meeting our objectives will continue and even intensify
during the coming months. I encourage all DGs who read this message to
please include information on RGHF in their monthly newsletters. It will
take all of us together to be successful in reaching the goals of our
organization.
Frank Longoria,
Chair PR/Membership Committee.
THE FIRST RGHF What Paul Harris Said 30 December 2001
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
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.
THE FIRST RGHF Our Foundation Newsletter
1 March 2001
www.ourfoundation.info We want to provide a forum for your ideas on
making Rotary more responsive to our community, our world and its people.
PRID Lynn Hammond, USA, from the first newsletter.
THE FIRST RGHF Why I am a Rotarian 7 January 2006
www.whyiam.org Why I Am a Rotarian - The reasons
change with passing time. In 1950, it was because two
businessmen I respected had invited me to join, and the leading business and
professional men in town elected me to membership in the Rotary Club of
California, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Past RI
President Chuck Keller, USA
THE FIRST RGHF Rotary Global History Day 23 November 2008
www.11october.org
RGHF has started a program to recognize club histories, to encourage the
study of history at the club level. We have a new list of ideas for
beginning your own history at
www.11october.org
suggested by one of our members.
THE FIRST RGHF Frank Talk Gems 1 January 2008
www.franktalkgems.org One of the most amazing things about the success
of Rotary is that it is achieved entirely by volunteers. It all starts
because one Rotarian wants something to happen, not because some boss tells
him or her to do it, or to fulfill a mission statement that is posted on a
wall somewhere. Every successful project that Rotary has ever accomplished
has begun at the grass roots level in the minds and hearts of individual
Rotarians. Frank Talk I, p. 106
THE FIRST RGHF Rotarian Disaster Relief Alert (Myanmar), 20 May 2008
www.rghf.org/drrag ROTARIANS WANT TO
WORK WITH ROTARIANS
AND ROTARIANS WANT TO BE
IMMEDIATELY INVOLVED AND TAKE
ACTION
RGHF member Steve Wright, California, USA put
it this way:
Never thought about the link
between history and growth, but it certainly makes sense. Easier to have
high enthusiasm when something is new as opposed to Main St. Thanks
for the new perspective, gives me something to chew on.
Everything old is new again, at the pages of
www.rghf.org
Yours in service through history,
Joe Kagle,
Chairman of the RGHF Board & President 2007/2010
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What Paul Harris Said
Comely Bank
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
Sunday 16 November 2008
Rotary International founder Paul P. Harris, met his wife to be on a hike,
near Chicago, in 1910. After they married, Paul built a home for his bride,
Jean Thomson, of Edinburgh Scotland. Jean had lived near Comely Bank a road
in Edinburgh. So, Paul named their home in her honor.
Paul writes:
One winter day I was walking on Longwood Drive in a suburban district in
Chicago. The drive skirts a hill spoken of as the ridge which extends for
several miles in a southwesterly direction , an unusual feature in Chicago
as most of the lies on flat ground. The houses on the west side of the drive
are built on the crest of the hill that parallels it. On that particular day
the hill was covered with snow and many of the youngsters were coasting
without regard to the property rights involved. No property owner, however,
seemed disposed to question the rights of the youngsters to make common
ground of their hillside lawns. The picture seemed so true to the New
England life I had known and loved that the thought came to me if ever I was
to have a home of my own, it would be on the top of the hill on Longwood
Drive. The time came sooner than I expected ....I married my bonnie Jean,
and two years later acquired a home on the hill. We named our home Comely
Bank after the street in Edinburgh where she spent the days of her child and
youth…
Comely Bank served as their home
www.paulharrishome.com for nearly forty years. During that time, Jean, a
gracious hostess, poured tea for hundreds of Rotary leaders, and they
planted Friendship Trees in their yard and then around the world.
Comely Bank, in the hearts of Jean and Paul, served also to bring peace.
When discord erupted, Paul and Jean would invite the parties to tea and
talk. Wonderful things happened in this house. In their lifetimes, Paul and
Jean cared for Comely Bank. Now, we need to take up that work and return the
home to Rotarians. The home was purchased by Rotarians, but 1910 building
regulations have changed, and much work needs to be done.
Visit
www.paulharrishome.com to learn how you can be part of history. The need
is great. Rotary needs
Comely Bank for meetings, gatherings, and the
preservation of history. Please consider a tax deductible contribution to
help preserve this historic home for generations of use by Rotarians in this
century.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway,
Founder/CEO
www.historycomment.org
RGHF
www.rghf.org (Rotary
Global History)
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What Paul Harris Said
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
Sunday 9 November 2008
Today,
Rotary Club of San Francisco, the second club of Rotary will celebrate with
a gala ball at their original place of gathering, the famed Palace Hotel in
San Francisco. They are now the second club to reach the young age of one
century of service to others.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/cities/clubs/02sanfrancisco.htm is
RGHF’s complete section on this club’s history.
In the last article
before his death, Paul Harris made reference to SF#2. This was published in
The Rotarian, in February 1947, a month after the founder’s death.
Our peace and tranquility soon burst their bounds, however. We ceased to be
content with isolationism and began Community Service, built upon the rock
of fellowship and goodwill, and that foundation has never been shaken.
Rotary became known as a beneficial influence in the city of Chicago.
Almost contemporaneously, l started a campaign for Rotary Clubs in other
cities. Most of the membership considered it a vagary beyond the bounds of
reason. So, I went forward alone, but with the sympathy of all. It is a
matter of history how Club Number Two was organized in San Francisco, how
Rotary went across the Canadian border to Winnipeg and eventually across the
sea to the British Isles, where it became an influence throughout the length
and breadth of Britain. Cuba came in, and, eventually, Rotary spanned the
world. Rotary's Two score and Two, by Paul P. Harris, 1947
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/twoscore.htm
Paul
Harris worked for the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper in 1891. In This
Rotarian Age, written in 1935, he tells how the City by the Bay got its
first club.
Early in the year 1908, Manuel Munoz, a member of the
Chicago club, was prevailed upon to carry the message to San Francisco. He
pledged himself to interest some suitable resident of the city of the Golden
Gate in the organization of a club. In Homer Wood, a young lawyer, he found
the right man. Homer not only organized a club in his own city, but in
conjunction with other friends organized clubs number three in Oakland, and
number *four in Los Angeles. Paul P. Harris, 1935 My Road to Rotary page 77
[*Harris’s error regarding #4 was later corrected in a letter to RC#4 in
Seattle. Los Angeles became club #5.]
(Continued on page 78) That
the San Francisco club took itself seriously is evidenced by the fact that
Mr. Charles M. Schwab was the speaker at the first meeting. From San
Francisco the good word was speedily carried to Seattle.
San
Francisco Rotarians take pride in the fact that theirs is club number two,
and well they may; it is no small honor to be number two in a list of three
thousand, seven hundred. The Rotary Club of San Francisco may also well take
pride in the way Homer and other charter members of the San Francisco club
threw themselves into the effort. Californians are hard to beat,
particularly in games calling for cooperation. They break from the scratch
like whirlwinds. They are true sons of the Forty-niners, the most intrepid
and indomitable of American pioneers.
Homer not only accomplished
the feats above related, but he responded instantly to requests from Chicago
for help in efforts to win New York and other eastern cities to the cause.
This Rotarian Age
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/rotarianage/rotarianage.htm
RGHF congratulates Rotary Club of San Francisco and their president,
RGHF member Eric Emil Schmautz, for 100 years of Service above Self.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway, former member of
the Rotary Club of San Francisco, Founder/CEO email
www.historycomment.org
RGHF
www.rghf.org (Rotary
Global History Fellowship)
New articles at RGHF
www.recentposts.org
Remove or add addresses at
www.historycomment.org
|
“What Paul Harris Said”
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
Newsletter Nuggets
Sunday October 26 2008
RGHF has a new
feature at
www.whatpaulharriswrote.org where you will find the complete website of
all of Rotary’s founder’s writing and is chaired by Mike Raulin of Ohio,
USA. At that website, you’ll find “Newsletter Nuggets.” Here is one example.
The basic principles of Rotary have been remarkably stable for over
100 years. Nevertheless, Rotary is a dynamic organization. Paul Harris paid
tribute to its dynamic nature in 1935, recognizing that the organization he
founded was finding its own way and making itself even better.
“Whether it is that Rotary was born under a lucky star, or whether it is
that its “will to be” was undeniable, the net results of the clash of
ideas and ideals among the members of the first club marked the
beginning of the renaissance of Rotary.”
(Paul Harris, This Rotarian Age, pages 67-68)
Reprinted by
permission of the Rotary Global History from the Newsletter Nuggets Section
of “What Paul Harris Wrote” (www.whatpaulharriswrote.org ).
Mike Raulin
Rotary Club of Canfield, Ohio
Rotary Global History (RGHF)
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What Paul
Harris Said
Saturday 11 October, 2008
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
11 October 2000 was the day that this
project, now RGHF (Rotary Global History), began with a single
page attached to the Rotary Club of Pueblo, Colorado USA (Club #43) website.
I began with a search to find the first fifty clubs of Rotary. That list
still exits at
http://www.rghf.org/orientation/project.htm
Our members continue
to search for all missing histories at
www.missinghistory.org to add to our 3,000+ pages. Today, thanks to our
zone representatives serving all of Rotary and our webmasters and
historians,
www.historysearch.org will find nearly all of Rotary's history.
As
the project grew and Rotary leaders joined in, the work of Paul Harris
became an inspiration to all of us.
In the early 1980's I had the
opportunity to create of the first Rotary club orientations using video and
this line from "This Rotarian Age" was used in the conclusion. "This is a
changing world; we must be prepared to change with it. The story of Rotary
will have to be written again and again."
Here is the complete quote:
"Those who have Rotary's interests at heart, trust that we may always
continue to view it and its children, the other so-called service clubs, as
contributions merely to social progress within our chosen sphere; that we
may view ourselves and our work in proper perspective; that we may never
become complacent; that we may stand ready to face adversity or prosperity,
war or peace; that our thoughts may never become crystallized; that we may
ever continue to grow. This is a changing world; we must be prepared to
change with it. The story of Rotary will have to be written again and
again." Paul P. Harris, "This Rotarian Age" page 253, 1935
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/rotarianage/rotarianage.htm
Those words have come back again and again as we, at Rotary Global History; have continued to serve others by preserving the history
of Rotary. It is our belief that retention and contributions need the
familiarity of shared values, values that come from knowing something of our
history.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway, Founder/CEO
contact
www.historycomment.org
RGHF
www.rghf.org (Rotary Global History)
RGHF Board
www.historyboard.org
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What Paul Harris Said
September 14, 2008
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
What Paul Harris Said
September 14 2008
“Little which is worthwhile comes without effort. It could not be
appreciated if it were so to come. Rotary was not the result of a stroke of
genius; in fact, there is little if anything, even original about it. There
is wisdom in the expression, ‘There is nothing new under the sun,”
Paul Harris, This Rotarian Age, page 73
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/rotarianage/
Paul Harris would often modestly claim that Rotary was not the gigantic
discovery that perhaps some thought. It is certainly true that many similar
groups predate the founding of Rotary in 1905 see-
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/history/history/otherorganizations/prerotary/index.htm
– groups whose aims would often involve ‘friendship’ or ‘fellowship’ and
‘working for the common good’ but what Paul Harris succeeded in achieving
was the amalgamation of all of these ideals.
Yes, Rotary is essentially a simple truth that when we come together we can
change lives and make a difference and we are greater as one truly
international group of community volunteers than we ever can be as 1.2
million individuals.
Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry & District
District 1020
Scotland
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What Paul Harris Said
August 31 2008
“Upon several occasions, Boards of Rotary
International have extended to us invitations to visit the Rotary
clubs of other counties; such invitations we have, as a rule,
accepted and we have tried to make ourselves ambassadors of
good-will. With the cooperation of Rotarians and local governments,
I have planted friendship trees in the parks and playgrounds on all
the five continents of the world and even on some of the major
islands of the seas. Our trees stood as symbols of international
understanding and good-will. National and municipal governments have
participated in the ceremonies incident to such plantings and
monuments bearing bronze plates with appropriate inscriptions, have,
in several instances, been erected. Our tree plantings are merely
gestures of good-will but they are intelligible to all the citizens
of the various countries whatever language they speak".
Paul P. Harris "Comely Bank" page 275 "My Road To Rotary"
copyright Rotary International and published online here
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/myroad/
Paul Harris was an extensive traveller who kept records of his journeys -
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/peregrinations/ - which
clearly influenced his thinking. One of Paul Harris’ best known ‘tools’ was
to plant ‘Friendship Trees’ around the world on his travels -
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/library/trees/ - as symbols of world
understanding and goodwill.
Is it any wonder that the very first Rotary Foundation program established
after the death of our founder was the Ambassadorial Scholarships? The
largest privately-funded scholarship program in the world has sent thousands
of young people on similar journeys to Paul Harris to every part of the
world over the past 60 years and helped develop future business, political
and even Rotary leaders.
Throughout the ensuing years, Rotary has further expanded the ideas of Paul
Harris through programs such as Group Study Exchange, Youth Exchange and
Friendship Exchange – in their own way they too are like Paul Harris’
Friendship Trees -symbols of world understanding and goodwill.
From our Rotary Foundation Alumni and beyond through international
humanitarian projects to eradicate polio or provide clean water or tackle
disease and poverty, we all have planted our own seeds of friendship around
the world. These are our own personal symbols for today’s world.
Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry & District
District 1020
Scotland
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What Paul Harris Said
for August 2008
Today, the 10th of August, 2008, happens to be the 51st
anniversary of Rotary Club of Port of Spain, 1957, the First Club of
Trinidad and Tobago. Just ten years following the death of Rotary founder
Paul P. Harris. It was nearly 40 years after the first non English speaking
club in Havana Cuba. At the time, Harris questioned whether Rotary could
overcome language barriers. However, Rotary prevailed, as evidenced in this,
the last article of his life, in The Rotarian, by Paul Harris:
“Almost contemporaneously, l started a campaign for Rotary Clubs in other
cities. Most of the membership considered it a vagary beyond the bounds of
reason. So, I went forward alone, but with the sympathy of all. It is a
matter of history how Club Number Two was organized in San Francisco, how
Rotary went across the Canadian border to Winnipeg and eventually across the
sea to the British Isles, where it became an influence throughout the length
and breadth of Britain. Cuba came in, and, eventually, Rotary spanned the
world.” Paul P. Harris, The Rotarian, late 1946, published shortly after his
death.
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/twoscore.htm
There are those today who suggest that Harris’ bright light dimmed toward
the end of his life. This article was, to my mind, as sharp as any in his 79
years.
It might be useful for all Rotarians in every club to realize that Paul was
apposed in his early plans to expand Rotary. If you believe in something and
have the passion to carry it out, it’s very likely that you’ll encounter
resistance, but take courage from the founder of Rotary. Read his books,
letters, articles, and messages at
www.whatpaulharriswrote.org
Paul mentions Club Number Two. In November they will celebrate 100 years.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/clubs/cities/clubs/02sanfrancisco.htm
Yes, the story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway, Founder/CEO
RGHF www.rghf.org (Rotary Global History)
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What Paul Harris Said
July 13 2008
“Why should a
man (or woman) continue to strive
for more wealth after (s)he has
acquired reasonable sufficiency?
The money
quest is largely habit, is it not?
‑or is it
a disease? Whatever it may be it has
a deadly grip.
There is a growing
number of men (and women), however,
who possess sufficient character to
enable them to master their own
destinies, to turn abruptly in their
tracks when the time comes to give
up the pursuit of the almighty
dollar and devote themselves to
their second business: attention to
the world's needs.
The larger this number becomes the
easier it will be for others to
follow. The progress of civilization
depends upon these men (and women)
of character.”
Paul P Harris’
message to the RI Convention in Los
Angeles 1922 (read more here
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/conventions/1922/index.htm )
There are now close to 1.1 million
Paul Harris Fellows in the world
today. These men and women have
indeed devoted themselves to the
attention of the world’s needs by
raising over one billion dollars for
The Rotary Foundation since 1957. Is
it not right that we have used the
Founder of Rotary’s name to
recognize these worthy men and women
because our Paul Harris Fellows
reflect the thoughts and hopes of
Paul Harris himself?
It is a truly wonderful honor to be
named as a Paul Harris Fellow; to
accept that pin and medallion which
contains the image of Paul Harris.
Yet for all of us, and I mean ALL of
us, it is only the beginning of a
journey – a journey to even
greater commitment to donating our
excess dollars to helping others. Is
that not what Paul Harris is talking
about here?
How many of us have enjoyed the even
greater pleasure of naming someone
we love as a Paul Harris Fellow?
Recently, I had such a privilege.
When we name someone as a Paul
Harris Fellow, we honor that person
and honor the name and memory of our
Founder. As a Rotarian, there is no
greater feeling than to present
the pin and medal to someone
special.
Rotarians are indeed men and women
of character who devote themselves
to giving service and their excess
dollars to helping our fellow human
beings. Paul Harris would be so
proud of the Paul Harris Fellowship
– our most successful fund
development tool.
Let's make 2008/09 the best year
ever for giving to The Rotary
Foundation and giving in the name of
Paul Harris.
You can read more
about the Paul Harris Fellowship by
Past RI President Cliff Dochterman
by clicking on this link - http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/1992dochterman/phf.htm
Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry and
District
D-1020, Scotland |
What Paul Harris Said
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
Sunday 15 June 2008
Recently, WPHS presented the history of the 1922 Los Angeles convention
of Rotary International.
Now many of us in RGHF are at the 2008 convention; From LA, we’ll look
back at the second convention in LA.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/conventions/1962/index.htm
At that convention, the 53rd, there were over 22,000 in attendance. The
theme of the convention was “Communication for Understanding.” Rotary
founder Paul Harris had been gone, from this life, for over 15 years,
but this is something that Paul wrote about “understanding” just before
he died.
“The Rotary way works! But Rotary has no patent on it, for it is but the
Golden Rule in action. Any person, any nation, can apply it by
displacing negative hatred and fear with goodwill based upon
understanding. Peace among nations is not impossible of attainment; they
can find peace if they will.” Paul P. Harris, 1946, “Fear and Hate Must
Go.”
www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1946fear.htm
Paul Harris wrote about understanding in over 100 articles found at
www.whatpaulharriswrote.org It might have been the keystone of his
philosophy. His grandfather, Howard Harris, taught young Paul to seek
understanding, tolerance, and peace with all people. It is an important
part of Rotary today. This reminder and the reading of all of Harris’
works will no doubt inspire new leaders of Rotary.
We’ll see you in LA at the House of Friendship booth #166 all this week.
http://www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/rghf/activities/2008losangeles/index.htm
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway, Founder/CEO
founder@rotaryhistoryfellowship.org
RGHF (Rotary Global History)
www.rghf.org
New articles at RGHF
www.recentposts.org
Remove or add addresses at
www.historycomment.org
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What Paul Harris Said
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
What Paul Harris Said
Sunday 13 April 2008
FIRST***HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAUL HARRIS, WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN 140 YEARS OLD
ON THE 19TH OF APRIL THIS YEAR.*** this reminder from past Rotary Global History Chairman Matts Ingemanson. By coincidence for even
numbers, March 17th was the 120 anniversary of the death of Howard
Harris. Who, you ask? Paul’s grandfather who steered him on his “Road to
Rotary.”
The 1922 Convention of Rotary was the first of what will soon be three
(3) conventions in Los Angeles, California USA. It was also the site of
a major change in our name, from the “International Association of
Rotary Clubs” to “Rotary International. At this like you can visit all
the LA conventions, including the one we’ll be attending in just two
months.
www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/conventions/1922/. Just over 6,000
were in attendance.
Rotary founder Paul Harris sent this message:
“Today, a wireless message may be flashed around the world in less time
than it took the man of the bloody club to get a thought through his own
stupid brain.
The extraordinary significance of recent electrical discoveries will be
eclipsed by others yet to come. Time and space have been wiped out as
factors in the opposition of man's communion with his fellow men.” Paul
P. Harris, 1922, in his message to the first LA convention.
www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1922friendship.htm
And now today, Rotary Global History and all Rotarians can
send messages in a way that might have amazed Harris, or might not have.
The more I read his works, the more I’m certain that he would not have
been surprised at anything today. Except that I believe he would have
hoped that we would have achieved world peace by now. We’re trying,
Paul, we’re really trying.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway, Founder & Executive Vice President
Rotary Global History (RGHF)
founder@rotaryhistoryfellowship.org
2008 Convention Update
www.rotary2008.com
New articles at RGHF
www.recentposts.org
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What
Paul Harris Said
March
30 2008
“Love is mightier than hate. Give it one half the
advertising that hate has had and there will be no more war”.
The Rotarian magazine, February 1924
Read the full article at
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/rotarian/1924_2opinion.htm
As Paul Harris would observe if he were alive today, it is so sad
that the world’s media largely ignore our successful club projects
that change peoples lives for the better and concentrate on the
negative violence that plagues the planet.
That is why Rotary clubs ought to establish a public relations
committee within the club. It is a crying shame that the public
along with so many Rotarians are not fully aware of all the
wonderful and inspiring projects that Rotary is engaged in each and
every day all over the world.
In my personal music collection there is a wonderful lyric that
proclaims “If you are willing to change the world, let love be
your energy”. It seems to me that Rotary is like an ever-ready
battery that can provide all the love that we need for the whole
world – and the good news is that there is an unlimited supply
amongst Rotarians.
Please tell your stories to the world and advertise ‘love’ as first
suggested by Paul Harris.
Calum Thomson
calthomson@aol.com
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry & District
District 1020
Scotland |
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What Paul Harris Said
March 9, 2008
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
In his message to the International Convention in Toronto 1942
What Paul
Harris Said
March 9 2008
“The grandest opportunity to serve humanity is directly before us.
Let us remember that it is always darkest just before dawn. These
are the before daylight hours. Let us fervently hope that when the
sun does rise it will usher in a day of unprecedented glory - the
day of the brotherhood of man."
See the full article at
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/conventions/1942toronto.htm
As Paul Harris tells us, a world of goodwill
and peace provides Rotarians with countless opportunities to serve.
Paul Harris described himself in numerous articles as a Rotary
ambassador of goodwill. During his many travels around the world, he
would share his dream of a more peaceful world with everyone he met.
Harris’ optimism came from his love of his fellow mankind and his
certain knowledge that Rotary will always remain an organization that
looks forward and never dwells on past achievements.
It is no surprise that our Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson
places so much emphasis on the power of the Rotary International
Convention. It is the convention that brings Rotary ambassadors of
goodwill from all over the world together in friendship and fellowship.
It is a truly inspiring and motivating experience to discover the power
of Rotary INTERNATIONAL.
Calum Thomson
calthomson@aol.com
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry & District
District 1020
Scotland
2008 Convention Update
www.rotary2008.com
Register for the 2008 RGHF breakfast
https://www.sporg.com/servlet/IndRegister?orgID=972&viewType=1
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What Paul Harris Said
February 10 2008
In 13
Days Rotarians around the world will
mark the 103rd
anniversary of the first gathering
of four men, who went on to create
Rotary as we know it today. Rotary Global History has for
nearly eight years been bringing
Rotary’s History to life. Today, our
feature “What Paul Harris Said,”
reminds all of us that we are
imperfect humans. We all make
mistakes, but if we move forward and
continue to seek world peace and
understanding, we will make
progress.
Paul
Harris, founder of Rotary made very
few mistakes, but one that is still
in print is interesting since it
involves Rotary #5, the Rotary Club
of Los Angeles, where Rotary’s 99th
convention will be held.
In
“This Rotarian Age” Harris refers to
LA as the fourth club, he later
wrote a correction.
“Early in the
year 1908,
Manuel
Munoz, a member of the Chicago club, was prevailed upon to carry the message to
San Francisco.
He pledged himself to interest some
suitable resident of the city of the
Golden Gate in the organization of a club. In
Homer Wood,
a young lawyer, he found the right
man. Homer not only organized a club
in his own city, but in conjunction
with other friends organized clubs
number three in
Oakland,
and number four in
Los Angeles.
“Paul Harris, 1935 “This Rotarian
Age.” Page 77
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/rotarianage/rotarianage.htm
So, if you make a mistake, shake it
off. Remember that 50% of the
initial four men, quickly dropped
out of Rotary. Another footnote to
history is that SF#2, Rotary Club of
San Francisco will, this November,
be only the second club to reach 100
years. Visit their booth in
Los Angeles
to learn more. And we hope to see
many of you at our annual RGHF
Breakfast in LA.
Yours in Rotary Global History,
Jack Selway
Founder, Rotary Global History (RGHF)
Member: Rotary E-Club of the
Southwest USA
What Paul Harris Said
January 13, 2008
www.whatpaulharrissaid.org
In his message to the International Convention in Los Angeles 1922
"Rotary is the door to friendship. Let us throw it open to every
people."
See the full article at
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/conventions/1922/index.htm
In these few words to the Convention of some 84 years ago, Paul Harris
summed up a new era of international Rotary. It was at the LA Convention
of 1922, that the term ROTARY INTERNATIONAL was formally recognized.
Today as we again prepare to meet in the same city in June, remember
these words. At the International Convention, Rotarians from all over
the world get the unique opportunity to meet and share ideas; to inspire
and be inspired; and to build new and ever lasting friendships.
But before then, let us reflect on Paul Harris’ simple words. Let them
guide us to work toward renewing and expanding this mass organization
that each of us belongs to and loves. Why can’t we find men and women
from every profession and every land, from every culture and from every
background – a Rotary world OPEN TO EVERY PERSON?
See you in Los Angeles.
Calum Thomson
RGHF Chairman 2006/07
Rotary Club of Longniddry & District
District 1020
Scotland
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