The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-18

will hold their hrst meeting.
Friday. back at San Francisco. the
morning will be devoted to meetings
OF divisional vice. presidents Tor dis
trict governors. IL the proposed re-
vised constitution is adopted) with the
delegates from their respective dfvt-
sions.
The keynote OF this convention will
be the definition of Rotary and an
effort to more clearly outline the OBJ
tects and scope OF the association and
Of the local clubs.
What Ii Rotary?
The Rotary Club is an organization
Of business and professional men, the
members consisting of only one man
from each line. whose banner Is Ser
vice, Not Self whose slogan is He
profits most who serves best" and
in business works. The restricted
membership is for the purpose of pro-
noting freedom of expression and
broadening each member by bringing
him into close personal contact with
representative men In different lines
of business than his own.
The objects Of the Rotary Club are
to promote the recognition OF the
worth.ness. OF all legitimate occupa-
tions and to dignity each members
occupation as affording him an oppor-
tunity to serve society: TO encourage
high ethical standards in business and
the professions; to increase the EN-
cheney OF each member by the ex-
change Of ideas and business meth
DDS; to promote the scientixing of ac-
quaintance as an opportunity for SER
vice and an aid TO success: to quicken
the interest of each member In pub
lie welfare and TO cooperate with
others in civic development
In the platform adopted at the con-
vention of 1911 at Portland and re-
affirmed in 1912 at Buffalo. the state
ment Is made that:
THE Rotary Club demands fair
dealing. honest methods and high
standards In business. No obligation
actual or implied, TO influence busi-
membership therein is an expression
Of confidence of the club in the mem
Der elected and of its good will to-
wards him. AS his business 10 an
expression of himself. he is expected
actively to represent IT, Membership
In, tho Rotary Club is privilege and
an opportunity. and its responsibility
demands honest and efficient service
and thoughtfulness for ones fellows
Service is the basis of all business"
An Organization For Service,
Rotary. In fact. may be called an
organization of service and for SER
vice. Rotarians have learned to un-
derstand one another and have gained
a better perspective OF their relations
to each other. their community, their
country and the world. The meetlngs
OF Rotary clubs are noted for a high
percentage OF attendance, wholesome
good feliowshsp. the constant inven-
ton Of new s.stunts'' or methods for
making the members better acquaint-
ed and for deveiopins the spirit or
genuine service. The enthusiasm Of
Rotarians' for Rotary IL spontaneous
and IL grounded upon knowledge gain
ed from experience that the effort 10
is spontaneous and is grounded upon
knowledge gained from experience
that the effort TO practice the prin-
ciples OF Rotary means happier. bet
ter and more successful life. Really
ing that formality and good fellow
ship do not mix we'll, Rotations have
ousted Formally from their meetings
and from their relation with one an
other . $685.
The direct business advantages Of
membership generally are looked upon
as incidental to the other and greater
advantages, such as the broadening
influence of being educated as to other
lines of business; the development of
the heart and soul, which comes from
learning to try deliberately to assist
and help others In their work; and
the opportunity to be Of service in
some important civic or community
work.
The growth, OF the Rotary move
ment has been remarkable. The first
club was organized in Chicago. Feb-
ruary -. 1908, by Paul p. Harris,
an attorney II was more than three
years before the idea had developed
and been sufficfentiy definitely out
lined 10 that the second club was orr
sanised In San Francisco. November
IL, 1908. The movement spread rap
idly from this time, clubs being or
EaniEAd in Oakland, Seattle and Los
Angeles within the year. The mcve-'
ment jumped to the Atlantic coast
In August. 1909. when the New York
city club was organised. followed by
Boston. December 81,
Between the first part OF 1919 and
the present there have been been all
most 100 clubs organized. The Arst
that came into being outside the Unit
cd States was In Winnipeg In Novenn-
her. 1919. that being the thirty-nfth
club. The hrst British club waa Or
ganixed August .. 1911. lii London. Il
hofu~ thu Aff4efh els1fs Il re0dav thAro