Still More Rotary Firsts

•    Rotary first presented “Significant Achievement Awards” in 1969 to clubs with outstanding International or Community Service projects.

•    Rotary’s first Interact club was organized in Melbourne, Florida, in 1962 to become the pioneer for about 6,000 Interact clubs in 96 countries.

•    Rotary’s first convention held in the Southern Hemisphere was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1948.

•    Rotary was assigned the copyright on “The 4-Way Test” in 1954 when its author, Herbert Taylor, became president of Rotary International.

•   Rotary’s first Community Service project took place in 1907 when Chicago Rotarians led a campaign to install a public “comfort station” in the city hall.

•    1964-65 was the first year The Rotary Foundation received total contributions of a million dollars in a single year Today more than US$65 million is given annually Contributions since 1917 total more than US$950 million.

•    Rotary’s first appeal for aid to disaster victims was in 1913 when US$25,000 was given for flood relief in Ohio and Indiana, U.S.A.

•    Rotary’s motto, “He Profits Most Who Serves Best,” was first expressed at Rotary’s very first Convention in Chicago in 1910.

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RI’s General Secretary

The day-to-day operations of Rotary International’s Secretariat are under the supervision of the general secretary, the top professional officer of Rotary Although the general secretary is responsible to the RI Board of Directors and president, he provides the ongoing management for nearly 500 staff members who compose the Secretariat of Rotary International. The general secretary serves as secretary to the RI board and is also the chief executive and financial officer of The Rotary Foundation, under the supervision of the trustees of the Foundation. He is the secretary of all Rotary committees as well as the Council on Legislation, regional conferences and the annual Rotary convention.

The general secretary is appointed by the RI board for a term of not more than five years and is usually reelected. Since 1910, nine men have served in that position. Chesley Perry the original general secretary served from 1910 to 1942. Others who followed were Phil Lovejoy (1942-52), George Means (1953-72), Harry Stewart (1972-78), Herb Pigman (1979-86), Philip Lindsey (1986-90). Spencer Robinson, Jr (1990-93) and Geoffrey Large (1995-97). Herb Pigman was reelected to the position in 1993. S. Aaron Hyatt was appointed in 1997.

Throughout the history of Rotary the personal influence and administrative skills of our general secretaries have significantly shaped the course of Rotary programs and activities.

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Selecting a President

Each year a distinguished Rotarian is selected as the worldwide president of Rotary International. The process begins two years in advance when a 15-person nominating committee is elected from separate regions of the world. To qualify for the nominating committee, a Rotarian must have served on the RI Board of Directors and have extensive Rotary experience and substantial acquaintanceship with the world leaders of Rotary

The nominating committee may consider all former RI directors for the presidential candidate. Members of the nominating committee and current directors are not eligible. Any Rotary club may suggest the name of a former RI director to the committee for consideration.

The committee convenes in September to select the Rotarian to be the presidential nominee. His name is announced to all clubs. Any Rotary club may make an additional nomination before 1 December, which must then be endorsed by one percent of all the Rotary clubs of the world (about 250). If such an event occurs, an election is held by mail ballot. If no additional nomination is presented by the clubs, the person selected by the nominating committee is declared to be the president-nominee. From that point on, that special Rotarian and spouse will spend more than a year in preparation and then a year serving the Rotarians of the world as the international president.

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Annual Rotary Themes

In 1955 RI President A.Z. Baker announced a theme, “Develop Our Resources,” to serve as Rotary’s program of emphasis. Since that time, each president has issued a theme for his Rotary year. The shortest theme was in 1961-62 when Joseph Ahey selected “Act.” Other one-word themes were chosen in 1958-59 by Charles Tennent (“Serve”) and 1968-69 by Kiyoshi Togasaki (“Participate").

Carl Miller, in 1963-64, had a theme for the times when he proposed “Guidelines for Rotary in the Space Age.” Other “timely” themes were in 1980-81 when Rolf Klãrich created “Take Time to Serve” and William Carter in 1973-74 used “Time for Action.” Two themes have a similarity to commercial advertising: “A Better World Through Rotary” (Richard Evans, 1966-67) and “Reach Out” (Clem Renouf, 1978-79). Bridges have been a striking metaphor. Harold Thomas, 1959-60, urged Rotarians to “Build Bridges of Friendship”; William Walk, 1970-71, created “Bridge the Gap”; and Hiroji Mukasa, 1982-83, declared “Mankind as One Build Bridges of Friendship Throughout the World.”

A worldwide focus was given by Stanley McCaffrey in 1981-82 with the message, “World Understanding and Peace Through Rotary,” and again in 1984-85 by Carlos Canseco who urged Rotarians to “Discover a New World of Service.” In other years, the individual was emphasized, as “You Are Rotary” (Edd McLaughlin, 1960-61), “Goodwill Begins With You” (Ernst Breitholtz, 1971-72) and “You Are the Key” (Edward Cadman, 1985-86). Frequently the theme urges Rotarians to become more involved in their club, such as “Share Rotary — Serve People” (William Skelton, 1983-84) or “Make Your Rotary Membership Effective” (Luther Hodges, 1967-68). But whether you “Review and Renew,” “Take a New Look,” “Let Service Light the Way” or “Dignify the Human Being,” it is clear that the RI president provides Rotarians with an important annual program of emphasis. in 1986-87, President M.A.T. Caparas selected the inspiring message that “Rotary Brings Hope.”

Charles Keller in 1987-88 saw “Rotarians — United in Service, Dedicated to Peace,” while Royce Abbey asked his fellow members in 1988-89 to “Put Life into Rotary — Your Life.” Hugh Archer (1989-90) urged us to “Enjoy Rotary!” and Paulo Costa (1990-91) asked that we “Honor Rotary with Faith and Enthusiasm.” Rajendra Saboo (1991-92) exhorted every Rotarian to “Look Beyond Yourself.” In 1992-93 Clifford Dochterman reminded Rotarians, ”Real Happiness Is Helping Others,” and in 1993-94 Robert Barth counseled Rotarians, “Believe In What You Do and Do What You Believe In.” In 1994-95 Bill Huntley encouraged Rotarians to “Be A Friend” to their communities. During 1995-96 Herbert Brown asked Rotarians to “Act with Integrity, Serve with Love, Work for Peace.” In 1996-97 the theme of Luis Giay was “Build the Future with Action and Vision;” Glen Kinross in 1997-98 proposed the plan to “Show Rotary Cares;” and James Lacy asked Rotarians to “Follow Your Rotary Dream” in 1998-99.

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Campaigning Prohibited

One of the interesting bylaws of Rotary International provides that “no Rotarian shall campaign, canvass or electioneer for elective position in Rotary International.” This provision includes the office of district governor, Rotary International director, RI president and various elected commit­tees. The Rotary policy prohibits the circulation of brochures, literature or letters by a candidate or by anyone on behalf of such a candidate.

After a Rotarian has indicated an intention to be a candidate for one of the elective Rotary offices, he or she must refrain from speaking engagements, appearances or publicity that could reasonably be construed as furthering his or her candidacy The only information that may be sent to clubs relating to candidates for an elective position is that officially distributed by the general secretary of RI.

A Rotarian who becomes a candidate for an elective position, such as district governor or RI director, must avoid any action that would be interpreted as giving him or her an unfair advantage over other candidates. Failure to comply with these provisions prohibiting campaigning could result in the disqualification of the candidate.

In Rotary it is believed that a Rotarian’s record of service and qualifications for office stand on their own and do not require publicity or special promotion.

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The Rotary Foundation’s Beginning

Some magnificent projects grow from very small seeds. The Rotary Foundation had that sort of modest beginning.

In 1917 RI President Arch Klumph told the delegates to the Atlanta Convention that “it seems eminently proper that we should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world.” The response was polite and favorable, but the fund was slow to materialize. A year later the “Rotary Endowment Fund,” as it was first labeled, received its first contribution of US$26.50 from the Rotary Club of Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A., which was the balance of the Kansas City Convention account following the 1918 annual meeting. Additional small amounts were annually contributed, but after six years it is reported that the endowment fund had only reached US$700. A decade later, The Rotary Foundation was formally established at the 1928 Minneapolis Convention. In the next four years the Foundation fund grew to US$50,000. In 1937 a US$2 million goal was announced for The Rotary Foundation, but these plans were cut short and abandoned with the outbreak of World War Il.

In 1947, upon the death of Paul Harris, a new era opened for The Rotary Foundation as memorial gifts poured in to honor the founder of Rotary From that time, The Rotary Foundation has been achieving its noble objective of furthering “understanding and friendly relations between peoples of different nations.” By 1954 the Foundation received for the first time a half million dollars in contributions in a single year, and in 1965 a million dollars was received.

It is staggering to imagine that from those humble beginnings, The Rotary Foundation is now receiving more than US$65 million each year for educational and humanitarian work around the world.

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The Permanent Fund of The Rotary Foundation

It was Arch Klumph, father of The Rotary Foundation, who said, “We should look at the Foundation as being not something of today or tomorrow, but think of it in terms of the years and generations to come.” That’s why the Foundation’s Permanent Fund is considered the most important way to assure the future of Rotary’s educational and humanitarian programs. Contributions to this fund, formerly called the Endowment for World Understanding and Peace, are invested for the future. Only earnings from their investment are used to support Foundation programs. Ultimately it is intended that the Permanent Fund will provide a steady and secure supplement to Foundation support, always guaranteeing a minimum level of program activity and allowing for the possibility of new and expanded programs in the future.

The Foundation gives special recognition to anyone who includes a substantial gift to the Permanent Fund in his or her estate plan or gives outright a minimum cash gift of US$1,000) to the fund. Such a donor is designated as a Rotary Foundation Benefactor. In 1998 there were more than 36,000 Benefactors worldwide.

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Ambassadorial Scholarships

The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world’s largest privately funded international scholarships program. In 1947, 18 “Rotary Fellows” from 11 countries were selected to serve as ambassadors of goodwill while studying in another country for one academic year Since that time, approximately US$335 million has been expended on some 30,000 scholarships for people from more than 125 countries, studying in 105 countries around the world.

The purpose of the scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Scholars are expected to be outstanding ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country through both informal and formal appearances before Rotary and non-Rotary groups. Each scholar is assigned a host Rotarian counselor to facilitate involvement in Rotary and integration into the host culture.

Since 1994-95 The Rotary Foundation has offered two new types of scholarships in addition to the Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships.

The Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarship is awarded for two or three years of specific degree-oriented study abroad. The Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarship provides funding for three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country

In addition to being an investment in the education of tomorrow’s leaders, Rotary Foundation scholarships create personal links between countries and are an important step toward greater understanding and goodwill in the world.

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Group Study Exchange

One of the most popular and rewarding programs of The Rotary Foundation is Group Study Exchange. Since the first exchange between districts in California and Japan in 1965, the program has provided educational experiences for about 35,000 business and professional men and women who have served on about 6,500 teams. The GSE program pairs Rotary districts to send and receive study teams, Since 1965, almost US$59 million has been allocated by The Rotary Foundation for Group Study Exchange grants.

One of the attractive features of GSE is the opportunity for the visiting team members to meet, talk and live with Rotarians and their families in a warm spirit of friendship and hospitality Although the original Group Study Exchanges were male only, in recent years teams have included both men and women.

In addition to learning about another country through visits to farms, schools, industrial plants, professional offices and governmental establishments, the GSE teams serve as ambassadors of goodwill. They interpret their home nation to host Rotarians and others in the communities they visit. In recent years, teams of a single vocation or cultural group have been exchanged. Some GSE teams help create humanitarian projects between their countries. Many of the personal contacts blossom into lasting friendships.

Truly, the Group Study Exchange program has provided Rotarians with one of its most enjoyable, practical and meaningful ways to promote world understanding.

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Health, Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants

In 1978 Rotary launched its most comprehensive humanitarian service activity with the Health, Hunger and Humanity Program. The 3-H Pro­gram is designed to undertake large-scale service projects beyond the capacity of individual Rotary clubs or groups of clubs.

By 1995 more than 185 different 3-H projects had been approved and undertaken in 58 different countries, with an appropriation at more than US$45 million. The objective of these projects is to improve health, alleviate hunger and enhance human, cultural and social development among peoples of the world. The ultimate goal is to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace.

The first 3-H project was the immunization of 6 million children in the Philippines against polio. This was the birth of what we now know as the PolioPlus program. As 3-H progressed, new programs were added to help people in developing areas of the world. Now, in addition to the mass polio immunization of more than one billion children in various countries, 3-H has promoted nutrition programs, vocational education, improved irrigation to increase food production, polio victim rehabilitation and other activities that benefit large numbers of people in developing countries. All 3-H projects are supported by the voluntary contributions of Rotarians through The Rotary Foundation. In years to come the 3-H Program may well be considered Rotary’s finest service activity, showing how Rotarians care and are concerned about people in need, wherever they may be.

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Matching Grants

Among the programs of The Rotary Foundation are the Matching Grants that assist Rotary clubs and districts in conducting International Service projects. Since 1965 more than 6,200 grants have been awarded for projects in about 165 countries, totaling more than US$56 million.

A club or district must contribute an amount at least as large as that requested from The Rotary Foundation with at least half the funds that the Foundation will match coming from a country outside of the country where the project will take place. Grants have been made to improve hospitals, develop school programs, drill water wells, assist the disabled or persons requiring special medical attention, provide resources for orphanages, create sanitation facilities, distribute food and medical supplies and many other forms of international community service in needy areas of the world. Some grants are for projects in the magnitude of from US$15,000 to US$50,000, but most are in the range of US$5,000 to US$10,000.

Matching Grants are not approved to purchase land or construct buildings, except for low-cost shelters for underprivileged families, and they may not be used for programs already under way or completed. Personal participation by Rotarians is required and the benefits should extend beyond the recipients.

The Matching Grants program is a very significant part of The Rotary Foundation and provides an important incentive for clubs to undertake worthwhile International Service projects in another part of the world. They certainly foster goodwill and understanding, which is in keeping with the objectives of The Rotary Foundation.

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Carl P. Miller Discovery Grants

The late Carl P Miller, president of Rotary international in 1963-64, was a strong believer in humanitarian work that could be accomplished at the grassroots level. Through the Matched Club and District Program, launched during his year in office, he encouraged Rotarians to find opportunities for service in another country through “people-to-people” contact. The pairing of clubs and districts became an essential component of World Community Service.

A successful newspaper publisher Carl, along with his wife, Ruth, made a generous endowment gift to The Rotary Foundation to establish the Carl P. Miller Discovery Grant program. Discovery Grants are intended to stimulate international involvement by clubs and districts, providing up to US$3,000 for travel and related expenses incurred in developing an International Service project. A Discovery Grant does not fund the project itself, but, rather, supports the “people-to-people” contact necessary in the preliminary stages to bring the project to fruition. Only clubs and districts or groups of clubs and districts are eligible to receive these special grants that are awarded by The Rotary Foundation twice yearly in August and February.