Rotary Club of North Hawaii
What is Rotary?
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of more than 29,000 Rotary clubs in 167 countries. Rotary is a service club, so our product is service. Rotarians provide community service to both local and international communities. It is one of the best reasons for becoming a Rotarian. It’s the dedication to do something for somebody else, and the chance to sense the fulfillment that comes with participation. In turn, it provides satisfaction in our own life and rewards our communities.
A Brief History
On February 23, 1905, a Chicago lawyer, Paul P. Harris, called three friends to a meeting. What he had in mind was a club that would kindle fellowship among members of the business community. It was an idea that grew from his desire to find within the large city the kind of friendly spirit that he knew in the villages where he had grown up. The four businessmen didn't decide then and there to call themselves a Rotary club, but their get-together was, in fact, the first meeting of the world's first Rotary club. As they continued to meet, adding others to the group, they rotated their meetings among the members' places of business, hence the name. Soon after the club name was agreed upon, one of the new members suggested a wagon wheel design as the club emblem. It was the precursor of the familiar cogwheel emblem now worn by Rotarians around the world. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members. The second Rotary Club was formed in 1908 half a continent away from Chicago in San Francisco, California. It was a much shorter leap across San Francisco Bay to Oakland, California where the third club was formed. Others followed in Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, California, and New York City, New York. Rotary became international in 1910 when a club was formed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. By 1921 the organization was represented on every continent, and the name Rotary International was represented on every continent. The name Rotary International was adopted in 1922.
The Rotary Emblem
Rotary's first emblem was a simple wagon wheel (in motion with dust) representing civilization and movement. Montague Bear, a designer by profession, designed this emblem in 1905. As a result, many Rotary Clubs of the time adopted the wheel in one form or another. In 1922, authorization was given to create and preserve an official emblem, and the following year the present gear wheel with 24 cogs and six spokes was adopted. A keyway was added to signify that the wheel was a "worker and not an idler". At the Rotary International Convention in 1929, royal blue and gold were chosen as the official colors.

Rotary International theme 2009-2010

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