Rotary International, a global network of leaders and professionals dedicated to community service, celebrates its 118th anniversary on February 23, 2023. On this date, Rotary marks over a century of its commitment to positively impact the world through its humanitarian efforts.
Rotary was founded on February 23, 1905, by Paul Harris, a lawyer from Chicago. Since then, Rotary has grown into a global organization with over 1.4 million members in more than 200 countries and territories, changing lives in communities around the world through meaningful and sustainable projects. Rotary members are men and women from all walks of life - creative people of action who work together for inspiring causes. Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” reflects the organization’s values – friendship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership, guiding its members’ work to improve people’s lives worldwide.
Over the years, Rotary International and Rotary Bulgaria have carried out numerous projects aimed at promoting and preserving peace, providing clean drinking water, supporting education, eradicating diseases, supporting maternal and child health, improving local economic development, preserving the environment, and reducing poverty.
Some of Rotary’s most significant contributions include the creation of The Rotary Foundation over 100 years ago, which has invested over $4 billion in humanitarian initiatives, the global eradication of poliomyelitis through Rotary’s partnership with other organizations like UNICEF and WHO, promoting peace and conflict resolution, and providing humanitarian aid to communities in need.
The District Governor of Rotary Bulgaria, Violina Kostova, shared with all Bulgarian Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors:
“This is the day when we, the Bulgarian Rotarians, also celebrate and are proud to be part of this exceptional organization. But Rotary is much more than that. Rotary is a unique family because every member of ours has taken it as their cause to help society by donating their time and resources.” Each of us not only lives Paul Harris’s dream but also actively works for it to be relevant today and tomorrow. Today, we rediscover Rotary in a new way, because the world is changing, and so are we.
Every day, for 90 years, Bulgarian Rotarians put our passion and effort into projects and causes that have a lasting impact on society. Because Rotarians are people of action!"
“Whatever Rotary means to us, the world will judge us by the results we achieve,” said Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris. The 118th anniversary of Rotary is a celebration of a century of service, but also a reminder of the crucial role Rotary and its members play in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. Through their commitment to selfless service, Rotary members continue to change the communities they serve, leaving a lasting impact on people’s lives everywhere.
Rotarians work every day for a better world for everyone and welcome leaders and professionals from all backgrounds to join this mission.