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vol. 1 (1)   *   July 3, 2001

     We join Rotary upon invitation by a friend because membership is by invitation and not by application. There was only one who was not invited to join and that was Paul Harris, a desperately lonely man, the founder of Rotary. He originally invited three friends but two failed to follow through. Paul Harris did not lose hope and he invited another two and others who quickly jelled with one another and with hearty zest joined in developing what was going to be the first Rotary Club.
     They grew in numbers, in fellowship, in the spirit of helpfulness to each other and to the city where they hailed. The banker, the baker, the parson and the plumber with the lawyer and the laundryman discovered the similarity of each other's ambitions, problems, successes and failures. They learned how much they had in common. They found joy in being of service to one another. Thus, Rotary was born. You will note that Rotary has always recognized the dignity

of all useful occupations and has continually promoted high ethical standard in business and professional life.
     All of us came to Rotary because somebody wanted to share Rotary with us. For our part, we may have been attracted to the club because of our desire for the friendship of those who belonged to it. But we would not have found it necessary to formalize that friendship in the club if we did not believe that we would, thereby, be involving ourselves in something worthwhile. When we were invited into Rotary, it was because our peers in the club believed that we could contribute and help in doing the work of the club. Over the years, it has been that work of Rotary, which has excited us to participate more, and more in its activities. Indeed, it is this sense of fulfillment that makes us join Rotary.