Using this way of looking at history, power and freedom, I saw Rotary/One as created in a similar fashion. Where was the power in the early 20th century? Businessmen, with some other important individuals, held that power. Paul Harris recognized this and had the idea of getting some business leaders together in 1900, but it took until 1905 to surround himself with other unique leaders. Even at the beginning, there was power in the 180 categories of leadership (created by a member of Rotary/One, a teacher of business, Arthur "Fred" Sheldon). It is still one of the powerful ingredients of global Rotary. He

also set Rotary on a course of "freedom" with "He Profits Most Who Serves Best" (modified by Rotary International in 2004 to "They Profit Most Who Serve Best"). Power and freedom (service) were the beginning gifts that Rotary/One gave to all Rotarians on a global scale but there was one other essential gift, the courage to be first.

A colleague of mine, Professor Randy Pausch, who taught at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh (my hometown), (who gave his Last Lecture before he died last year) advocated that it is: "Better to fail spectacularly than do something mediocre." Each year he gave out the First Penguin Award. He gave it for the greatest attempt at something grand but never mediocre.

The service of Rotary/One members of freeing business leaders to give back to the community (which eventually was the world) set a standard for all of Rotary. Rotary/One deserves a First Penguin Award. First penguins are those that lead other young penguins off the cliffs in Antarctica to learn to swim, into extremely cold waters where predators wait.

I see our quest for Peace and to end Polio coming from that bold beginning. Now, Rotarians have the courage to bet on the end being what they set out to do. It all started with Rotary/One in 1905. Forty years later, Rotary was asked to join hands with the United Nations in the pursuit of Peace. Eighty years later, Polio Plus was started (and now the submarine marked "Zero Polio" may be about to surface). It all starts when Rotary/One became 'the first penguin', daring to try something new, something that could fail, something that exposes vulnerability.

First penguins have the courage to be first and different with quality. And Rotary/One is still being first with quality. In the summer of 2009, one of your members and one of our founding members, Dick McKay, told our board that Rotary/One was considering becoming the first 100% Rotary Club to join Rotary Global History Fellowship. With this beginning initiative from Rotary/One, the entire membership (72 strong) of the Rotary Club of Nicosia-Lefkothea, (on Cyprus), became that first club with 100% membership in RGHF on November 16, 2009. It is not over. You will be helping us celebrate ten years of service to Rotarians here at your club on 10-10-10, October 10, 2010. We too are 'first penguins," you see, and live by Fred Sheldon's maxim: "He profits most who serves best". Our mission is, "Seeking to serve Rotarians, present and future, by preserving the Global History of Rotary." We invite you to join us in our celebration here, this October.

I know that being 'first' is a risky adventure but Rotary has grown since 1905 because of that 'daring first' by you. I know that being called Rotary/One is an honor and a constant challenge to strive to be 'first' in quality, service, fellowship, goodwill and peace. Our Fellowship would not exist without you being 'first'. As Chairman and President of Rotary Global History Fellowship, I am here tonight to thank Rotary/One, our 'first penguin' of Rotary.