# Rotarians celebrate 100 years of service

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/02/17/rotarians-celebrate-100-years-service/
- Published: 2004-02-17T00:00:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland are about to celebrate their centenary of
community service and fundraising.
The first Rotary Club was founded by Paul Harris
in Chicago, USA on 23 February 1905. Since then, Rotary’s work has expanded worldwide
with clubs in 166 countries and a membership of 1.2 million business men and women.

Rotarians around the world will be celebrating their centenary by focusing on three
key goals for 2005: eradicating polio, increasing membership from 1.2 million to
1.5 million members, and supporting The Rotary Foundation, “the world’s largest 
private charity”. To mark the centennial year 2004/2005 Rotary Clubs are being encouraged
to initiate Centennial Community Projects to benefit their communities and to demonstrate
the remarkable scope and power of Rotary service.

The most ambitious project is the eradication of polio. Since 1985 two billion children
have been immunised and a target set to eradicate polio by 2005. By 2005 Rotary’s
contribution to polio eradication will exceed half a billion dollars.

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In Great Britain and Ireland, where there are 1,833 Rotary Clubs with 58,000 members,
clubs are planning hundreds of Centennial Community Projects such as planting a 
Rotary Glade of Maples at the Westonbirt Arboretum; a Rotary Wheel aerial landmark
and memorial forest at Oldham; commissioning a Rotary Rose; constructing 2000 metres
of a dry stone wall, and funding a £100,000 project for a Diabetes research laboratory
in Plymouth. Many clubs will also undertake twin club projects with clubs in the
developing world.

In addition, in March 2005 every Rotarian is asked to give 10 hours of voluntary
service in their community.

Rotary is an organisation of business and professional men and women who provide
humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help to build goodwill
and peace in the world.

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