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How it all began
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The world's first service club was the Rotary Club of Chicago,
Illinois, USA. The club was formed 23
February 1905 by lawyer Paul P. Harris and three friends – a
merchant, a coal dealer, and a mining engineer. Harris
wished to recapture the friendly spirit he had felt among business
people in the small
town where he grew up. The name
"Rotary" was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings
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Service
Today
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Rotary volunteers initiate community projects that address many
of today's most critical issues,
such as
violence, drug abuse, youth, AIDS, hunger, the environment, and
illiteracy.
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Rotary
clubs are autonomous and determine service projects based on
local needs. However, they are
encouraged to base projects on the following topics: children at risk,
disabled persons, health care, international understanding and
goodwill, literacy and numeracy, population issues, poverty and
hunger, the environment, and urban concerns.
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Rotary members work with and for youth to address challenges
facing young people today. Through participation in Rotary-sponsored
Interact clubs (for secondary school students), Rotaract clubs (for
young adults), and Rotary Youth Leadership awards, young people
worldwide learn
leadership
skills and the importance of community service.
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Rotary Youth Exchange
gives high school students the opportunity to broaden their world view
and
build international friendships.
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Rotary volunteers have a history of building safe communities and
working for peace. In places
where
urban violence has become rampant, Rotary's community-based
network helps to prevent unrest. Rotary-sponsored violence prevention
projects and conferences address the root causes of violence such as
drug abuse, poverty, lack of role models, and gangs.
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The Rotary Foundation
of Rotary International provides an opportunity for Rotary club
members
to work for
international understanding and peace. Through their Foundation,
Rotarians sponsor international educational and humanitarian programs
such as these backpacks for Afghan children.
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PolioPlus
is Rotary's commitment to eradicating polio by the year 2008.
Through the efforts of Rotary and its partners in the fight against
polio, more than two billion children worldwide have been immunized
since 1985. By the year 2008 Rotary contributions will reach US$600
million to eradicate the crippling disease. Of equal significance is
the huge volunteer army organized by Rotary International for social
mobilization, vaccine transport and immunization activities.
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Rotary's
international network links people in need with Rotary club members in
other countries that can provide resources. The Foundation's
humanitarian programs provide health care and supplies, clean
water, food, job training, and education -- particularly in the
developing world.
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The Rotary Foundation's educational programs include
Ambassadorial Scholarships, the
world's
largest privately-funded source of international scholarships. Nearly
1,000 scholarships are awarded annually for study in another land.
Grants are also awarded for university teachers to serve in developing
countries and for professional exchange. Rotary also partners with
eight prestigious universities around the globe to educate mid-career
professionals in peace and conflict resolution at seven Rotary Centers
for International studies in peace and conflict resolution.
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