History of RCY
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL’s chief founder was Paul P. Harris, a Chicago lawyer raised in Vermont, who valued mutual obligations and community contributions. Together with 3 colleagues, they developed a plan of action to establish the first Rotary Club on 25 February, 1905. Today, Rotary International has more than 1.5 million members in 33,000 clubs around the world, and an unequaled reputation for Harris’ moto, “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”.
Rotary Club previously had a distinguished presence in Myanmar. The first Rotary Club was opened in Myanmar in 1929 and other clubs opened throughout the country. In 1974, Rotary Club’s were closed down due to a change in government policy. In 2014, plans were set underway to bring Rotary back to Myanmar. The Rotary Club of Yangon was formed and was officially accepted into the Rotary family on the 16th May 2014. On the 2nd February 2015, the Rotary Club of Yangon will be officially presented with their Charter by the Rotary International President.
Rotary Club Rangoon was founded in 1929 on Lewis Street (now called Seikantha Street) , followed by 6 other active clubs in Thayetmyo, Mandalay, Moulmein, Taunggyi and Insein. Leadership included U Ba Swe (1931), the Hon. M. Raschid and later his son Bilal Raschid. The clubs were obliged to close in the late 60s and early 70s, but fortunately an extensive pictorial history is available.
Reconstitution
JT Warring, from the Rotary Club Los Angeles (LA5), USA, started the Water for Life project which was sponsored initially by his club. In response to seeing the 2004 tsunami He has worked with 22 private orphanages to establish water systems in all these locations, and is dedicated to providing ten more systems.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL’s chief founder was Paul P. Harris, a Chicago lawyer raised in Vermont, who valued mutual obligations and community contributions. Together with 3 colleagues, they developed a plan of action to establish the first Rotary Club on 25 February, 1905. Today, Rotary International has more than 1.5 million members in 33,000 clubs around the world, and an unequaled reputation for Harris’ moto, “SERVICE ABOVE SELF”.
Rotarians form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world under the motto “Service Above Self.” The Rotary International 4-Way Test has been proven to lead to success in volunteer activities, business, and life skills. The Paul Harris Foundation Fellowship Awards are annual bequests to deserving students, and prestigious awards for Rotarians around the world.
For more information about Rotary International, go to their website at: https://www.rotary.org/en
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