We are Rotary for busy people in the 21st century, sticking firmly to the guiding principle of this worldwide organisation of service above self.
Our members are drawn from across the UK and Europe, who regularly meet online and who are engaged in a number of projects in their own communities under the Rotary banner.
Learn moreJanuary 1, 1905
From small acorns sewn by Chicago lawyer Paul Harris back in 1905, so it has grown to one ofthe most influential global movements. Paul Harris, age 28, soon after he started practicing law in Chicago in 1896. Appeared in “My Road to Rotary.”
February 23, 1905
It was on February 23rd, 1905, when Paul Harris met with three friends to outline a vision. It was a vision of encouraging fellowship among the business community in the Windy City, generating the sort of friendly spirit he had encountered growing up in a small village in Vermont. Paul Harris wanted to outline a vision. It was a vision of encouraging fellowship among the business community in the Windy City, generating the sort of friendly spirit he had encountered growing up in a small village in Vermont. Word soon spread in Chicago as other businessmen were invited to join their group of professionals – the name “Rotary” was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings between different members’ offices. Soon after, the club name was agreed. One of the members suggested a wagon wheel design for the club emblem – the precursor to the familiar cogwheel now worn by Rotarians world wide – and by the end of 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago had 30 members.
June 22, 1922
Further clubs followed in Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, California and New York. Rotary spread its wings across the border, when a club was formed in Winnipeg, Canada in 1910, and by 1921 there were clubs represented on every continent. The name Rotary International was adopted in 1922. Even from those early days, community was at the heart of the Rotary ethos. Early projects included building public ‘comfort stations’ near Chicago’s City Hall and delivering food to needy families. In 1914, Rotary moved across the Atlantic and the British Association of Rotary Clubs was established. The association was renamed Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland in 1924. During the First World War, Rotary discovered new areas for serving communities – at home in war relief and through overseas emergency efforts. After the Second World War, many clubs which had disbanded during the conflict, were re-established. Clubs in Switzerland and elsewhere organised relief aid for refugees and prisoners-of-war. Some 49 Rotarians participated in the 1945 United Nations’ charter conference in San Francisco.
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland is the association of Rotary clubs within England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. It has over 1,800 clubs consisting of more than 50,000 men and women from all walks of life.
Which draws together 66 clubs spread throughout the region from Swindon to Hereford, including Bristol, Gloucester and Worcester. There are 21 districts spread across Great Britain and Ireland.
Based in local communities where members meet on a regular basis to enjoy friendship, networking and to plan projects that will benefit the lives of others.
Clubs utilise the skills, expertise and dedication of their members to help improve the lives of people in communities both at home and abroad.
Rotary members unite at home and across the globe to put our experience and knowledge to work by tackling some of our most pressing challenges.
Club activities, social events, and volunteer projects offer networking opportunities that build personal and professional connections