This week marks 110 years since Paul P. Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram E. Shorey gathered in Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago for what would become known as the first Rotary club meeting. It also is 30 years since Rotary launched its campaign to rid the world of polio.
Rotary clubs are celebrating the milestones in a variety of ways. The Rotary Club of Mt. Warning AM, New South Wales, Australia, gave away pancakes and handouts on the village’s main street.
“Our brand stood out because of our signage, the shirts we wore, and the handouts we brought,” says club president Kaileen Casey. “It was a very relaxed comfortable environment with lots of laughter. It’s important for people to feel at ease and to ask questions. This is the way to increase our awareness in the community.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
South Korean Rotarian Seung Jin Kim is sailing around the world to raise money for polio eradication.
 
Rotary members in the Philippines arrange a display at the Mall of Asia during the week of Rotary’s anniversary.
 
Rotary members in Bauru City, São Paulo, Brazil, illuminate Parque Vitória Régia. Photo by José Carlos de Oliveira Junior
 
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge, Georgia, USA, celebrated by lighting up the historic Bon Air building.
 
 
Rotary members in Minas Gerais, Brazil, celebrated Rotary’s anniversary with a soccer game. Team “America Futebol Clube” wore Rotary’s emblem on their uniforms.
 
 
Rotary clubs in Mauritius organized a walk to celebrate the annivesary and raise awareness for Rotary’s work. Photo courtesy Rachid Karroo
 
Reunion Island Rotary members parade through St. Denis to celebrate Rotary’s anniversary.
 
 
More than 150 Rotary members help celebrate in Mexico City.
 
 
Inbound Rotary Youth Exchange students from the USA, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, Australia, Argentina, Taiwan, and Brazil spell out 110 at a winter camp in Norway.
 
The Rotary Club of Mt Warning AM, Australia, gives away pancakes to celebrate Rotary’s 100th birthday.
 
 
Cali, Columbia, Rotary clubs celebrate by inviting singers to perform in a popular shopping mall.
 
Rotary members in Ankara, Turkey, celebrate Rotary’s birthday with music and singers in a popular shopping mall.
 
 
Rotaractors in Guatemala celebrate 30 years of polio eradication efforts.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Bokaro Midtown, India, celebrates by inaugurating a vocational training center for women.
 
The Rotary Club of Ekpoma, Nigeria, cut a cake after hosting a lecture on peace and conflict resolution.
 
 
The Rotary Club of Ekpoma, Nigeria, celebrate with a cake.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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