For the past 114 years, Rotary members have been addressing challenges around the world, and for the last nine years the Rotary Club of Royal Hua Hin has been doing its bit and working to the same ends in Thailand. Rotary links 1.2 million members around the globe to form a community service organisation of international scope. It started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on 23 February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back to their communities.
Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of its members. The first donation to the Rotary Foundation in 1917 was $26.50 and Rotary’s first gift to disabled children in 1930 was $500.00. Today these sums are far higher and make a genuine impact around the world. The near eradication of polio being an example. Paul Harris said “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves”.
Rotarians have not only been present for major events in history — but have been a part of them. Three key traits have remained strong throughout our history:
Truly international. Only 16 years after being founded, Rotary had clubs on six continents. Today, members in nearly every country work to solve some of our world’s most challenging problems.
Paul Harris
Persevere in tough times. During World War II, Rotary clubs in Austria, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain were forced to disband. Despite the risks, many continued to meet informally, and after the war, Rotary members came together to rebuild their clubs and their countries.
Committed to service. Not afraid to dream big and set bold goals, they began the fight against polio in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, polio remains endemic in only three countries — down from 125 in 1988.
Members of the RCRHH follow these principles and indeed those of the Four Way Test:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
RCRHH will be helping to celebrate this milestone by having an informal meeting at Coconuts Beach Bar on Soi 77 at 1730h on Saturday 23 Feb 2019 and all are welcome to attend. Please register using the events link to the left of this story.