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How Rotarians Get That Way
By
Paul P. Harris
Founder, Rotary International
They violate the first principle of unity, but out of
their very diversity comes a bonding fellowship.
THE EXPLANATION of the astonishing records of attendance at
Rotary Club meetings as presented in THE ROTARIAN by six
Rotarians with an unbroken record of more than 30 years provides
me with a satisfying answer to the question "How do Rotarians
get that way?" These men's views justify the most extravagant
statements I have ever made on the subject of Rotary attendance.
Such records, of course, tell stories of great sacrifices. I
venture to say that the doors of hospitals have swung
prematurely open at times to permit these loyal Rotarians to go
to their meetings; and it wouldn't surprise me in the least to
learn that the atmosphere of the meetings has done more to
restore their health than hospitals, doctors, and nurses would
have been able to do. I know something about the healing power
of fellowship with Rotarian friends.
I
recall one case particularly well. I happened at the time to be
in Hartford, Connecticut. After having finished my address at a
noonday intercity meeting, I was taken seriously ill and was
rushed to the Yale hospital in New Haven. I was scheduled to
speak on the night of the following day in New Haven. Anxious
questions were asked the physicians. The answer addressed to me
was: "If you fill the engagement, you will be taking your life
in your hands." I was, so to speak, put on the spot. In high
fever I began speaking in the huge auditorium that night, but at
the close of my address my temperature was normal. Midnight
found my good friend Don Adams and me perched on high stools in
an all-night restaurant, peacefully eating ham sandwiches with
pickles and other customary trimmings.
And so, my friends of more than 30 years of unbroken attendance,
I can understand the language you speak. The atmosphere of
Rotary Club meetings and the grip of friendly hands often fit us
to "take up our beds and walk."
Most naturally, the reasons why these remarkable men have been
able to build up such records are varied, but there is striking
uniformity in one respect. Nearly all are influenced by the
opportunity Rotary affords them for free and informal fellowship
with the leading men and best citizens of their respective
communities.
There are other miracles performed. Some of them are beyond the
imagination of men who know not the lure of Rotary. For
instance, there is the fact that Rotary has been able to
surmount the racial, political, and religious barriers
constructed by men and to make itself at home in more than 50
nations. It is not always easy to keep dissension down even in
selected group of men, all of whom owe allegiance to one flag,
and to one church, etc.
Rotary began its course with the violation of the first
principles of harmonious relationships. Instead of selecting for
its membership men who think alike in most matters, it selected
its membership from the ranks of those who thought alike on one
subject only. This made the course of Rotary look much like the
"rocky road to Dublin ... .. Can it be done?" was the question
which agitated the minds of friends of the movement. Well, the
answer is, it has been done, and the formula has been amazingly
simple. Substantially it is this: Build on this solid rock of
one unassailable and universally acceptable ideal and
concentrate thought and efforts on that ideal.
By
the use of this simple formula, Rotary has been able to gain the
support of good and influential men in all civilized countries.
By the use of the formula, Rotary has been able to organize
Rotary Clubs in India, Egypt, the Straits Settlements, and in
other parts of the world where uniformity of religious and
political beliefs is unknown. Twenty‑six different races were
represented in the Singapore Club and nearly every conceivable
religion is represented in the Rotary Clubs of caste‑ridden
India.
If
that is not a miracle, what is it? And is it not gratifying to
know that there is a platform broad enough for all men to stand
on? And is it not heartening to know that men of diverse faiths
and allegiances can find so much in each other which is
wholesome and good? Rotary is an integrating force in a world
where disintegrating forces are far more numerous.
IN
THE interest of our Fourth Object, the promotion of
understanding and goodwill, it has been my privilege to plant
goodwill trees
on all the continents of the earth and on some of the major
islands of the seas, as living testimonials of the fact that
Rotary International stands for understanding and goodwill.
As
for Rotary: "The rocky road to Dublin" has been straightened and
there are fewer bumps. In fact, it's more in the nature of a
superhighway now. Not infrequently we think we can see in the
distance the shimmering lights of the great city of
International Understanding and Goodwill.
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