Rotary International D. K. Lee's April Message

April 2009

Dear fellow Rotarians,

In January of 1911, a 12-page newsletter called The National Rotarian was published; it contained an essay by Paul Harris, “Rational Rotarianism,” along with club news and editorials. Of the new publication, Harris wrote: " The primary purpose of The National Rotarian is to provide a means for the exchange of ideas between Rotarians throughout the world, not to give the national officers an opportunity to express their views. These messages are not written merely to fill space; nevertheless we look forward to the day when they will be literally crowded out by surging mobs of virile Rotarian ideas struggling to be heard."

Today, with Rotary’s club membership spanning more than 200 countries and geographical areas, the mandate of its publications is more complex, and more vital, than ever. The English-language flagship magazine, The Rotarian , is edited at RI headquarters in Evanston, Ill., USA, and has a circulation of about 500,000. Around the world, 31 more magazines are published in 24 other languages, for a total of 32 magazines published by the Rotary World Magazine Press, and a total circulation of about 1.25 million.

The RI Board of Directors has designated April of every year as Magazine Month. It is a time to recognize the role that our Rotary publications play in our Rotary lives – and the role that we should play in our publications. For the magazines to live up to Paul Harris’ original vision, it takes more than just an editorial staff: It also takes the good work of Rotarians. I always feel that the best part of reading any Rotary publication is the opportunity to find out what other clubs are doing. Each issue, each article, is a chance to be informed and inspired.

In an era when electronic communication seems to be everywhere, the role of the paper-and-ink magazine is still important to our organization. Rotary magazines provide us with an overview of what’s happening in different clubs and districts as well as important news and updates from RI headquarters. Even the many Rotarians who regularly visit www.rotary.org will find something new in every issue.

It is a privilege today to be writing this message as Paul Harris once wrote his, and to see his vision of this publication – a magazine filled with the great ideas and great works of Rotarians – brought to life.

Dong Kurn (D.K.) Lee
President, Rotary International

 

TRF Chairman's April 2009 Message

Let’s End Polio Now

Dear family of Rotary,

In January, Rotary International received another influx of funds from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, bringing that organization’s total contribution to Rotary’s polio eradication efforts to $355 million. In turn, the Gates Foundation has asked Rotarians to match $200 million of that amount. For many organizations, this might seem an impossible task, especially in today’s uncertain economy. But we all know that Rotarians are both generous contributors and master fundraisers.

Our support, however, goes far beyond simply donating money for a good cause. Polio eradication has become a passion for so many Rotarians, a goal that can and must be achieved. And now is the time to achieve it.

Never has Rotary had such strong support in our war on polio. In addition to the funding from the Gates Foundation, World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has put the full operational power of the WHO into the job of finishing polio eradication. And two governments have made impressive commitments: The United Kingdom’s Department for International Development has pledged £100 million ($150.3 million) for polio eradication over the next five years, and the German government has committed €100 million ($132.3 million). Although this funding is not directed toward meeting Rotary’s challenge, it will help us to move more swiftly toward our goal.

Now is our opportunity to capitalize on all these resources and get the job done. We can’t wait until the economic conditions improve to continue our fight. We must move ahead now. And that means meeting Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge. It is up to our clubs and districts, to each one of you, to make that happen. I encourage you to set ambitious but achievable goals for your club’s contribution to the challenge. Create fundraisers that involve the whole community, letting everyone know that Rotarians are leading the fight to End Polio Now.
.

Jonathan Majiyagbe
Foundation Trustee Chair

Source: Rotary International

Historic Moments - Paul Harris

Paul Harris's childhood home in Wallingford, Vermont, USA.	First 4 Rotarians (L-R): Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, Paul Harris.
Harris and wife, Jean, at home in Chicago's South Side, December 1942. They resided there until Harris's death in 1947.	Harris in his office at Rotary headquarters in 1945. He served as the public face of the organization after his presidency. His office has been recreated on the 16th floor of Rotary International World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.

 

Born in Racine, Wisconsin, USA, on April 19th, 1868, Paul P. Harris was the second of six childen of George N. and Cornelia Bryan Harris. At age three, he moved to Wallingford, Vermont, where he grew up in the care of his paternal grandparents, Howard and Pamela Harris. He attended the University of Vermont and Princeton University and received his law degree from the University of Iowa in 1891.

While he was in school, both of Harris's grandparents died, and he spent the five years after graduation traveling around the country and working odd jobs. After arriving penniless in San Francisco in 1891, he worked as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle and then as a ranch hand, grape picker, actor, and cowboy. He was also a hotel night clerk in Jacksonville, Florida, and a traveling marble and granite salesman.

In 1896, he settled in Chicago and opened a law practice. Along with Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey, he founded the Rotary Club of Chicago in 1905 and was elected its president in 1907.

Club membership grew rapidly. Many members were originally from small towns and found an opportunity for fellowship in the Chicago club. Harris was convinced that the club could be expanded into a service movement and strove to extend Rotary to other communities.

In 1910, he met Jean Thompson during an outing with the Prairie Club, a Chicago-based organization for wilderness enthusiasts. Harris and Thompson married three months later and settled on Chicago's South Side.

In the same year, the National Association of Rotary Clubs was formed, and Harris was elected its first president. He held the office for two years and afterward became president emeritus, serving as the public face of the organization and promoting membership extension and service around the world.

He wrote several books about Rotary and his life and travels, including The Founder of Rotary and This Rotarian Age.

In addition to his work with Rotary, Harris was involved in other civic organizations, including the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry, City Club of Chicago, Chicago Bar Association, Prairie Club, and Easter Seals. He was also recognized by the Boy Scouts of America and honored by the governments of Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Peru.

Harris died on 27 January 1947, leaving a rich legacy of fellowship, professionalism, service, and friendship. His passing also sparked an outpouring of donations to The Rotary Foundation from all over the world, allowing the Foundation to greatly expand its programs and services.

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