Rotary Global History Fellowship

Authorized by Rotary International

www.RotaryHistoryFellowship.org

 

  

What Paul Harris (and other Rotary Leaders) Said

- April 24, 2005

 

 

“It is easier to interest men in war than in peace; it therefore requires more moral courage to talk peace than war.”

 

Paul P. Harris,

Rotary Just at the Threshold,

THE ROTARIAN, February 1917

 

 

Rotary districts throughout the world (at this moment) are considering candidates for the 2006-08 class of Rotary International Peace Scholars.

 

In 2002, Rotary launched the Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution, an innovative program designed to educate tomorrow's peacemakers.

 

The Rotary Foundation provides fully funded scholarships worth $60,000 towards a master’s degree in peace and conflict resolution to almost 70 students yearly.

 

This is a yearly US $3.5 million dollar Rotary program and an important and courageous step to world peace.  Has your club advertised this program in your community?  Have you interviewed and nominated someone to your district to compete for this prestigious Rotary Scholarship?

 

Dr. Edward “Eddie” Blender,

Editor, WPHS

PDG D5470

Vail - Eagle Valley Rotary

 

  

Fellow Rotarians,

 

Thank you Eddie, for this week’s quote by Rotary Founder Paul Harris. This quote is representative of Rotary’s stand for peace and tolerance. Rotary is established in 166 different countries around the world. Some of these countries are at war with each other. Rotary is nevertheless welcome and respected in these countries. Rotary’s stand for peace and service has made it universally welcome around the world.

 

Here are examples of Rotary’s accomplishments for peace:

 

• During the First World War, - British Rotary Clubs were involved in relief work by housing Belgian refugees.

 

• The Rotary Foundation was founded in 1917 for the purpose of helping the world in charitable, educational, and other avenues of community service.

 

• Rotary adopted the Four Way Test in January, 1943, written by Chicago Rotarian Herb Taylor:

 

·       Is it the truth?

·       Is it fair to all concerned?

·       Will it build good will and better friendships?

·       Will if be beneficial to all concerned?"

 

• Forty-nine Rotarians helped draft the United Nations Charter in San Francisco 1945. Many of the delegates from around the world were also members of Rotary clubs. The U.S. government called upon Rotary to become involved.

 

• Rotary Foundation launches Matching Grants and Group Study Exchange programs in 1965.

 

• The Rotary Club of Moscow was charted in 1990 as the first ever Rotary Club in the Soviet Union.

 

• Preserve Planet Earth program in 1990-91 inspired some 2,000 Rotary-sponsored environmental projects. It resulted in the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees.

 

• In 1985, when Rotary launched its eradication program, there were an estimated 350,000 new cases of polio in 125 countries. Last year, 1,263 cases were reported. More than one million Rotary members have volunteered their time or donated money to immunize two billion children in 122 countries.

 

• In 1988, Rotary money and its example were the catalyst for a global eradication drive joined by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

 

• The Western Hemisphere was declared polio-free in 1994 after Rotary played a decisive role.

 

• In 2000 Rotary teamed up with the United Nations Foundation to raise $100 million in private money for the Polio Plus program.

 

• By the time the world is certified as polio-free -- probably in 2008 -- Rotary will have contributed $600 million to its eradication effort.

 

You can read more about Rotary’s contributions to peace on our website at www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/history/history/index.htm and www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/history/history/un/story.htm.

 

You can read about Paul Harris on our website at www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/presidents/1910harris/paulharris/. You read the books by Paul Harris on our website at www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/books/.

 

It is the mission of Rotary Global History Fellowship to inform about the historic achievements of Rotary. Rotary Global History Fellowship is organized in the International Rotary Sprit with members from all over the world. You can become a member by clicking on the link www.joinrghf.org.

 

More and more Rotary Clubs read our weekly feature “What Paul Harris Said” at their Rotary meetings. You can read previous issues of “What Paul Harris Said” on our website at www.WhatPaulHarrisSaid.org. Your friends can also sign up to receive “What Paul Harris Said” by sending an e-mail to Chairman@RotaryHistoryFellowship.org.

 

 

Let’s us together

Celebrate the Achievements of Rotary

and its History!

 

Mats Ingemanson

Chairman

Rotary Global History Fellowship

(Authorized by Rotary International)

 

www.RotaryHistoryFellowship.org

www.NYRotaryHistory.org

www.whatpaulharrissaid.org/

 

 

 

Eddie Blender has prepared a Rotary Anniversary Issue from Rotary Global History Fellowship. It has six pages of great information with pictures about how Rotary started the Early Years of Rotary and the spirit of Rotary. You can download a free copy from our website at http://rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/Rotary_GHF_Anniversary_Issue.pdf.

 

When Rotary International President Glenn Estess announced his Presidential theme “Celebrate Rotary,” he said the following:

 

Our first hundred years will stand as an inspiring record of men and women of all races, religions, nationalities and political creeds who have made significant contributions to creating a more peaceful world.

 

Rotary International Past President 2000-2001 Frank J. Devlyn said:

 

Rotary Global History Fellowship is an instrumental tool for those forward-thinking people who wish to learn from our history, in order to guide our future.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this project, our features and newsletter have been researched, collected, compiled, and written by Rotarians to preserve the history and underlying philosophies of the Rotary movement. This fellowship is not an agency of, or controlled by, Rotary International, but is affiliated with individual Rotary districts, clubs, other Rotary organizations and enjoys the support of Rotarians, clubs, districts, and zones world-wide.  The views and opinions expressed on this website are not necessarily the collective views and opinions of Rotary International or all Rotarians. Rotary International is not responsible for any content and accepts no liability therefore.