Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1940-02-22
Rotary Observance Week


and going to the largest, denominate community
national, and international influence In the center
| see Rotary international a generating force of
ncalcuabe value in creating civic international
consciousness The healing spirit and uplifting influence
of Rotary sorey needed in the world today Stand
ing it does for inherent honesty fair dealing, orderly
justice and the rights and worth of the individual and
the definite obligations of the individual to society and
of society to the individual, Rotary in this
shrinking world as powerful stabiizing factor de-
signed to secure common understanding and peaceful
relations among men and among nations. bespeak for
Rotary International continuously increasing effective
ness and power"
Interesting" we may remark, but what is the
rest of the story? Let's take look at Rotary and
the serviceclub movement Most of have heard
and know something about Rotary. Most of us know
something of other organizations such Kiwanis,
Lions, Exchange, Civitan Opimist and perhaps other
worthy clubs; all service bsa part of the service
club movement. We give special emphasis to Rotary
because it is the pioneer of the servcecub movement,
and this week is celebrating it's 35th anniversary and
Rotary Observance Week. Paul P. Harris hale and
hearty today at the age of IT, is the father of the
service club movement In Chicago, one bustery night
in February, 1905, Paul (the first name habit is
Rotary's) and few friends met and unknowingly at
the time, planted the seed of Rotary. Paul and his
friends were men of assorted businesses, who
wanted to get together once in while lean back in
their chairs relax and just be friendly 1t wasn't long
before the original group expanded. Men of other
businesses and professions taken into the ranks.
The basis OF Rotary membership then, it is today
was one man from each business profession in the
community. 1t wasn't very long after until other
Rotary clubs sprang up around the country. Then
Rotary crossed the United States Canadian border;
then it crossed the ocean, and today find Rotary
clubs in about 80 countries geographical divisions
of the world. AS years passed and Rotary became
truly worldwide other serviceclub groups came into
being, most of them accepting the general principles
upon which Rotary founded We must not regard
such imitation SUCH but rather the acceptance
Of something which had been tested and found salts
factory. ( fa
Now just what do Rotary clubs do? To mention
all the activities engaged in by Rotary clubs, would
comprise long list and We'll not attempt it, but first
OF ALL as basis for service activities, Rotarians stress
fellowship acquaintance, and good will in the club
That's quite logical, for isn't it true that group Of
business men having genuine friendship for each
other can accomplish lot through coordnated effort?
Next there is what Rotary terms Vocational Serv-
ice" Rotarians endeavor in all their business and
professional dealings to maintain principles of high
business ethics and standards Moreover they regard
their vocation as service rendered to the community
not Just as an instrument for private gain Then there
is Community Service" We hear it referred to as
c1vlc-mndedneSs or community -betterment. Here is
common ground upon which all meet. We
all want our community TO be the BEST and we gen.
orally like to take an active part in community
ment activities Rotarians personally dedicated to
such service and beyond that They help worthy
students to complete their Quotations. They help
crippled children, organize Boy and Girl Scout troops
boys clubs provide recreonal centers, and the like
not in the name of charity but always in spirit of
thoughtfulness and helpfulness to Others
One of Rotarys basic detectives is international
Service" which we learn is defined thus "The adj
vancement of international understanding, good will
and peace through world fellowship of business and
professional united in the ideal of service" In the
light OF recent world events Rotarans might excuSaby
register encouragement, but happily they know, as we
all know that the peoples of the world do not like war
They abhor it. Walter D. Head, of Montclair, New
Jersey President of Rotary International recently sad
Rotary doesn't strive to prevent or stop wars it
strives to remove the basic of which boiled
down international intolerance i'll WILL and mis-
understanding" Then commenting upon conditions as
they exist today in many countries in which there
Rotary clubs, he said "We must hope for the future
Man will come to his senses he always has. Then when
hostties cease and men set about repairing the bem
ish their foies have created you will find that those
principles they misused will be the greatest ally in
their rehabilitation. And you will find Rotary Inter-
national carrying on in it's unobst1usive way
healing the wounds of i'll will and intolerance. The
fellowship of Rotary will be there reaching beyond
national boundaries, racial and religious prejudices,
embracing all mankind in international friendship"
This denotes both hepfulness and optimism the part
of worldwide organization which is this week
observing its 35th anniversary.
We offer congratulations to the Rotary club of
Rockville and to the Rotary movement on the occa-
sion of its birthday and to Paul Harris the man who
started the service club movement And with Rotarans
express hope for the future that Nations may do
in large way what Rotary has done in small way"
Almost every girl has two boy friends, the one she
likes and the who will probably amount TO some
thing.
bO,ld+ that all hosx,.x