Tribute to Paul Harris

Tribute to Paul Harris - On His Birthday, 19 April 2021

Rotary started with the vision of one man - Paul P. Harris. In 1905, while in Chicago, he resolved to organize a club which would band together a group of representative business and professional men in friendship and fellowship. Thus the Rotary Club of Chicago - the world's first service club, was formed on 23 February 1905. In common with my fellow members, I had learned to place emphasis on the giving rather than the getting. This spirit of service grew beyond his country and across the globe.

Today, 19 April, on his birthday, I pay my tribute to the man with this outstanding thought on fellowship and service. A simple thought which is now alive in spirit in 35,000 member clubs worldwide, with a membership of 1.2 million individuals. Such is the magnitude. I urge members all over the world to keep the spirit alive - to Grow More and Do More. Let us commit ourselves on this day, his birthday, to atleast bring one new member each, and engage with the community in every way possible. In these times of uncertainty and hardship around the world, Rotary members and participants need to develop innovative and caring ways to serve, and show that even at a distance, there are ways to help. As people of action, reimagining service efforts with a deep sense of innate fellowship is the way to keep moving forward. Let us together Serve to Change Lives.

Shekhar Mehta, President Rotary International (2021-22)