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Paul Harris, founder of Rotary International

Wilfrid Wilkinson, Rotary World President

Richard Wyatt District Governor

Janine McClanahan, District Governor-Elect

Service Above Self

When it gets down to it, that's what Rotary is all about.

On the surface, Rotary International is made up of nearly 30,000 Rotary Clubs located in nearly 200 countries and geographical areas; while a Rotarian is a member of a local Club, he or she is also part of an organization whose impact can be seen in almost any community one visits.

Established in February, 1905 in Chicago by a young lawyer, Paul Harris, Rotary was originally a forum in which members could meet in the name of "acquaintance" and good fellowship, and meetings were designed as a way for businessmen of the time to do what we now call "networking." Rather quickly, however, the founders realized that the organization would need to change its purpose if it were to keep busy people involved. It developed its ideal of "Service Above Self" into four areas of service which continue to guide club activities to this day.

The 4-Way Test

The 4-Way Test officially became part of the Rotary experience during the 1954-55 year. While it most obviously applies to the Vocational Avenue of Service, it is also applied by Rotarians to every walk of life. It's a simple, elegant four-question test of the things every Rotarian thinks, says or does.