What is Rotary?

Rotary is an organization of business and professional people united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Paul P. Harris, a Chicago attorney, invited three of his friends to a meeting on February 23, 1905 to organize a club to promote friendship and business.  They began having weekly meetings in each member's place of business.  The rotation of meetings gave rise to the name Rotary.

As the group continued to invite others to join, Rotary grew quickly.  Today there are over 31,000 Rotary clubs in 167 countries around the world with a total membership of approximately 1.2 million.

Rotarians were quick to add community service to their purposes.  Today Rotary is known as the world's first and oldest service club.  Rotarians serve in their own communities and they unite worldwide for service and cultural exchanges.

We have much more information to share about Rotary and about the Cookeville Breakfast Rotary Club: