| Video of the RO presentation, in four parts, courtesy of Larry Eberhard - www.dejaviewsusa.com and Jose Fernandez |
| This video features RGHF Members, RO President 10/11 Andrea Luehmann, RGHF Founding Secretary Dick McKay, RIP 00/01 Frank Devlyn and RGHF founder Jack Selway |
| Part II features RGHF Members, RO Historian Richard "Titch" Harrison and DG 11/12 David Templin, discussing the ROTARY/One archives |
| Part III features RGHF Member Christodoulos Achilleoudis, Cyprus, whose Rotary Club became the first ever 100% RGHF club, in 2009. Also, RGHF's 2010 1905 Society awards were announced. (the conclusion, part IV, a song, is at the bottom of this page) |
 www.rghfinstitute.org
On the 10th Anniversary of the Rotary Global
History Fellowship
(Dick McKay) I wish to welcome all of the members of Rotary Global History
Fellowship to ROTARY/One today. This is the not only the 10th
anniversary of this growing organization, but the first annual RGHF
Institute. Five of us started
this work, in October of 2000, but a huge boost was given to our
organization’s credibility with the endorsement of a long time member and
supporter who is here today to introduce RGHF. He was the president of
Rotary International the year that we began our project. Rotarians and
guests, past president of Rotary International, and past chair of the
Foundation trustees, Frank Devlyn. |
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(PRIP Frank Devlyn)
One of RGHF’s founding members, my friend PDG Eddie Blender, brought this
organization to my attention early in 2001. I said then, and I still agree
now, that RGHF is an “instrumental
tool for those forward-thinking people who wish to learn from our history,
in order to guide our future." So, join with me as we review Rotary’s past,
present, and future, from the founder of RGHF, Rotarian Jack Selway, of
Colorado.
Before I say anything about Rotary, on behalf of the nearly 700 members of
RGHF, I wish to thank the members of ROTARY/One, their officers and staff,
particularly David Phelps, for the wonderful assistance we have had for
this, our first RGHF Institute. Last night your RO member DG Robb, a member
of RGHF, honored us with a powerful presentation at our official 10th
anniversary dinner at the “Sears.” Earlier yesterday we were given special
tours of RI’s historical sites, by one of our RGHF board members, the RI
archivist Stephanie Giordano leading the way, with RGHF member President
Frank giving us a personal perspective of his service, at our lunch at One
Rotary Center. This morning we had special tours of Comely Bank and the Paul
Harris Memorial, with assistance by DG Robb, PDG Irv Kaplan, and PRID Ted
Gifford. (When Ted charted a Rotary club, Ches Perry was the speaker.)
As I attempt to describe this thing we call Rotary, our RGHF managing
webmaster, Irene Herz, of Ossining, New York, will provide some visual
background from our 4,000 page website.
I hope that you might gain some insight into Paul Harris, whose face is so
familiar to all of Rotary, mostly in the medallion and pins those of us wear
when we contribute $1,000.00 or more to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary
International. For all his remarkable tolerance and love of man, I'm
discovering that Paul Harris had a capacity to push the envelope and
frustrate even those he sought to inspire.
According to RC of Chicago's "The Golden Strand," Harris was not the
unanimous choice to head the first national organization. Some felt him too
autocratic. However he did lead Rotary for its first two years, and then
suffered a near fatal heart attack.
Then followed a year of recover, but few appearances at conventions,
save a big surprise as RI President Eugene Newsome was about to
announce, with regret, that the founder would not be present and that the
secretary, Ches Perry, would, as was customary,
read his statement. Paul Harris then
suddenly appeared on the floor of the 25th anniversary convention of Rotary,
in Chicago, and spoke a few words.
This was amazing as just two years earlier he had again nearly died
from another serious heart attack.
As noted in James Walsh's biography "The First Rotarian," it took two years
to recover this time. At this point Harris was unable to carry on with his
law practice. Yet, he and Jean had 17 years remaining, and an entire world
that they would visit. The bravery and strength of this man is amazing. The
volumes of invaluable writing left behind are a treasure of these trips.
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/1933.htm
I'm reminded of the voice of Paul Harris, which you can hear at our website.
He is introduced, on radio, from the 1933 Boston Convention. "Friends of the
air." he says. He is speaking to non-Rotarians and he gives his definition
of a "Rotarian."
Harris was gifted, a genius who created one of the world's most powerful
forces and he was well prepared for it. From
his graduation from law school until he arrived in Chicago in 1896, he slept
in fields, picked crops, herded cattle, and wrote for newspapers in San
Francisco, Denver and DC. He shipped out as a cattleman for the British
Isles and describes living in conditions of sub-human squallier. He learned
of suffering and of wealth. He sold marble, was a hotel clerk, actor,
business teach, but hungry, lonely, or happy, his travels gave him valuable
experience, tested him, and proved his determination.
Paul Harris, we might say he was the "right man at the right time," a
man with an incredible determination to reach a predefined goal. In his
first autobiography, just after his second major
illness,
“The Founder of Rotary” page 58 “Secret of
Success”
he writes "People have frequently expressed
wonder at his ability to land almost
immediately on his feet after arrival in a strange city; even men of
considerable experience such as
roving newspaper men have expressed
amazement.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/1910harris/
We know Paul as the father of Rotary. He was highly decorated and celebrated
in other fields and in law. He became one of Chicago's prominent attorneys.
One evening, at the turn of the century, he took dinner with a fellow
attorney. (And, by the way, even
his obituary, in the Chicago Tribune, says that Rotary was born out of
loneliness. Don't believe it. He may have been lonely when he arrived in
Chicago, but he made friends wherever he went. However, it is true that he
and some of his friends did miss the society of the small towns from which
they had come.) As he and
his friend were walking after dinner, the fellow attorney was being greeted
by merchants and friends. It was then that Paul got his inspiration for an
organization such as we have today. "The thought came to me why not in big
Chicago have a fellowship composed of
just one man from each of many
different occupations, with no restrictions as
to their politics or religion, with
broad tolerance of each other's
opinions? In such a fellowship could there not be mutual helpfulness?" Paul
Harris, Page 230 My Road to Rotary.
He thought about this for months, years until the winter night of 23
February 1905 when he and his best friend, Silvester Schiele, a coal
merchant, had Italian dinners at Madam Galli's famous restaurant and then
walked over the river to the Unity Building and up to room 711, the office
of mining engineer Gus Loehr. Hiram Shorey, a tailor was also there. Paul
told them of his idea which was accepted and on March 9th they met again.
Gus and Hiram were still there, but not for much longer. Paul's friend Harry
Ruggles, a printer and several others joined.
Two weeks later they met at Sylvester's coal business. And since he was the
host, he became the first president of what they decided should be called
Rotary. Harry Ruggles then
plays a significant role in the very early meetings. He is the printer and
so he creates the first "printed" wheel for Rotary. But things don't always
go smoothly, and on more than one occasion the Chicago “Boys" are ready to
quit this "fellowship" idea of Paul Harris’.
Anyway, we know that when it looked like the club was going to
collapse, Harry would jump up and yell, "Hell boys, let's sing a song."
Today we recognize Harry Ruggles for introducing singing into Rotary.
In fact, he saved Rotary with a song. Also, in James Walsh's landmark
1979 book, "The First Rotarian” Ruggles known as the "Fifth Rotarian" swore
until his death that he and Paul began Rotary in 1904.
So, what of this thing they named “Rotary.” Without Paul Harris, Harry
Ruggles, Ches Perry, and other early leaders, would there have been a United
Nations as we know it?
WOODROW WILSON proclaimed that "Rotary is the only cement which will hold
the nations of the world together in permanent peace...the cement of
friendship.”
Would Polio have been eradicated if Paul Harris had not had the
determination of a hundred men? Yes,
we owe much to these early leaders. And, there is much we still can learn
from them.
When I started RGHF, many of the first fifty Rotary clubs did not have
websites or histories. Today all of the first 100 (and tens of thousands
more) are online, and we have the histories of many of them. After I told
president Frank that we were going to enlarge this work to the first 100
clubs, he remarked that it should be the “First 1,000.” We’re getting there.
RGHF has a very large section of our website devoted to ROTARY/One, and RO
has, for over five years, undertaken a large project to preserve its own
history. Your own member DGE David Templin and ROTARY/One historian Titch
Harrison have more on that. Both, by the way, are RGHF members.
((((((DGE David Templin and RO/RGHF Historian Titch Harrison)))))
The RGHF website has many of the keys to Rotary's success, from the
histories of early clubs, on all continents, to the lives of those who led
the movement. Paul Harris was the visionary, but what about Jean Harris?
What do we know about the First Lady of Rotary?
There is an extensive website of the "Friendship Trees" planted, in the
1930’s, by Paul and Jean, all over the world. It's a marvelous tribute to
Rotary. Trees destroyed by World Wars are shown replanted and surrounded by
Rotarians of all nations. We even have some excellent motion picture film of
Paul in Sweden planting a tree.
http://www.whatpaulharriswrote.org/library/myroad/
Paul Harris autobiography, "My Road to Rotary" was being discontinued as of
mid-May of 2002. As messengers, we made a difference and the book was
republished. It is our recommendation that every new district governor
should have a copy of this book.
We have been suggesting that for eight years.
Who's working on the Global History of Rotary?
We have a world-wide board of nearly 80 members.
Leading Rotarians and recognized historians working on this project.
Paul said, “This is a changing world; we must be prepared to change with it.
The story of Rotary will have to be
written again and again!"
(By the way, when you Google “early leaders” you’ll find over 100
million returns and RGHF’s page is #1.)
The sixth president of Rotary Arch Klumph placed an emphasis on District
Governors who were "gradually becoming the most important man in Rotary".
Klumph insisted that the District Governors know the International
Constitution and be acquainted with Rotary’s History. He referred them to
Ches Perry's newly drafted pamphlet that answered the basic questions of
when the organization was founded, when it started and how did it start.
www.rotaryfirst100.org/historians/board.htm
Please allow me to introduce three people. First, your own past president
Dick McKay, who was RGHF’s first Secretary/Treasurer and has continued to
guide this fellowship for nearly 10 years.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/history/history/bell/index.htm
Dick became the second member of RGHF just a few days after I began this
journey. Next, PDG Geri Appel, who has been treasurer since Dick’s term.
Geri is a widely known leader at her club, district zone, and international
level. A third founding member of RGHF is New York’s Matts Ingemanson, our
chair during the centennial who represented RGHF on 23 February 2005. Matts
is also featured on our website as an eye witness to 9/11. The fourth
founding member, PDG Eddie Blender, could not be here as he is in the midst
of 23 club presentation tour in the Northwest USA, raising millions of
dollars for the Rotary Peace Centers. Eddie created and edited our widely
read feature “Our Foundation Newsletter.”
www.rotaryfirst100.org/historians/ziegler.htm.
Our organization has only two life members; one of them is Dr. Wolfgang
Ziegler, of Bavaria.
http://www.rghf.org/institute/2011/
If you attend our next RGHF Institute, October 2011, you’ll meet my dear
friend Wolfgang. Like Harry Ruggles, Wolfgang is our first member following
the founders.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/historians/ziegler/perry.htm
He had become an expert on memorabilia of Chesley R. Perry. Today, Wolfgang
is returning something, which has considerable financial value, but even
greater historic value. Dick is now presenting your president Andrea with
Ches Perry’s gold 50th anniversary membership card, and also an
RGHF Institute Alumni pin that she has earned, and one to be given to the
family of David Durham.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/secretariat/perry/images/cpchicago01-edit.jpg
Earlier today RGHF presented $1,000 grants to Comely Bank, as DG Robb
provided the narrative on our tour bus and on the property, the home of Paul
and Jean Harris.
PDG Irv Kaplan, another RGHF member, led our tour of the Paul Harris
Memorial and Presidential Walkway. As stewards of our membership’s
generosity, we have been able to make a few grants, including a preservation
grant to the RI archives for audio of Paul Harris that is now on our
website.
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org/mission
Frank Devlyn wrote, "This is an exciting time in the History, and as we
enter the 21st Century, it is even more important that we examine our past."
Those words, of past president Frank, are part of our mission statement
page.
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/2002rattakul/index.htm
On January 30th of 2002, President Bhichai Rattakul told the INTERNATIONAL
ASSEMBLY AT ANAHEIM "Let us remember and honor our origins. Let us not
forget the basics and the fundamental principles and philosophy of Rotary."
http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/presidents/2001king/index.htm
"I hope that Rotary Clubs will be able to utilize this resource as a means
to make contacts with others and to share the history of our organization
with prospective members. ... I am counting on you... “Richard D. King
President, 13 July 2001
In our first fifty years, Rotary held the world's attention in ways that the
world needs us to once again.
Quote: "Thinking of Rotary, I
visualize a series of concentric circles which, starting with the smallest
and going to the largest, I denominate as the community, national, and
international influence. In the center, I see Rotary International as a
generating force of incalculable value." FRANKLIN
D ROOSEVELT
“All Thinking men recognize the moral and spiritual value of Rotary."
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL, who also said, "The farther back you can look,
the farther forward you are likely to see."
"God grant that my vision of the faults of men and of nations be dimmed and
my vision of their virtues be brightened".
- Paul P. Harris. Page 304 – “My Road to Rotary”
Much of our work, these past 10 years, has been to preserve all of the work
of Paul Harris. One of our goals is to have Paul known by Rotarians for more
than his face on a pin. To that end. ROTARY/One and RGHF senior historian
Titch Harrison has a request of this audience.
RGHF has been recognizing leaders of history, for about 9 years. We use a
tangible bit of history to do this. We call this the “1905 Society,” and the
symbol of this award is a pin made from a 1905 Liberty V nickel.
This very coin might have been in Paul, Silvester, or Harry’s pocket. A
presentation, of this award, was made today in Auckland, New Zealand to RGHF
secretary Norm Winterbottom. And, recently we presented this award to past
RIBI president and history author Norman Proctor. Today, our senior RGHF
historian Titch Harrison joins this group.
Each of these members received a copy of Paul’s book “My Road to Rotary.”
For his effort, we are also presenting the 1905 Society award to Chris
Achilleoudis, Rotary Club of "Nicosia-Lefkothea,” Cyprus.
http://www.rghf.org/rhd/events/2009/20bEgypt/2009/index.htm
We are also presenting our 1905 Society award to a member of our fellowship
from Cairo, Egypt. Nevine Abdelkhalek, was a new member at the Birmingham
2009 Convention, but by the time Sherry and I arrived in Cairo on 3 October,
she had assembled several hundred Rotarians, diplomats, community leaders,
and movie stars for a gala celebration of Rotary’s Global History. Nevine is
returning to Cairo to be part of the first RGHF Conference, to be held 29-30
October. There are already plans for a conference in Amman, Jordan in
October 2011. RGHF’s next institute will be in Bavaria in October of 2011.
Yesterday our three zones, in India, held a Rotary Global History Fellowship
Day in the city of Belgaum. RGHF has come a long ways in ten short years.
And, every step of that way, I have been supported by our final 1905 Society
recipient for this year, by best friend and wife, Sherry Koski.
Dick presents award. http://www.rotaryfirst100.org/leaders/ruggles/
Finally, the granddaughter of the Fifth Rotarian, Harry Ruggles, is with us
today. To honor Sue Davis-Hornby and her grandfather, we’ll close with a
Ruggles touch. A song.
I’m joined by RO member Bob Hudson
III. After the meeting all RGHF members and those who wish to join us will
meet for a short RGHF Institute Alumni
meeting where we will hear brief presentations on future venues. For $30 you
can become a member and receive your RGHF Institute Alumni pin and vote in
this next meeting. You’ll all remain alumni as long as your RGHF memberships
are paid.
Somewhere. History reaches us, Our history teaches us. From Paul Harris, to Klinginsmith History takes us there. History reaches us, Our history teaches us. All our stories preserved with care, Time to learn, Time to share. This day, we share… We’ve found a way preserving, We’ve found a new way of serving. Here’s where. Global His-t’ry of Rotary, No mystery as you’ll see. Four thousand pages will take you there. Come on line as we’ll take you there. Rotary Global History
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