“But, we ask, must the best genius of men be devoted to the science of war and none to the science of averting it?”
— Paul Harris, 1940
The second world war weighed on the mind of Rotary’s founder as he wrote a message to members in The Rotarian in February 1940, on the occasion of Rotary’s 35th anniversary. Read the full article
“It is well that there is nothing in Rotary so sacred that it cannot be set aside in favor of things better.”
Paul Harris plants a tree in Santiago, Chile.
On this trip, Harris also planted trees in Callao and Lima, Peru; Bogotá, Colombia; Valparaiso, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil
In 1936, Paul Harris and his wife, Jean, traveled throughout Central and South America. Upon their return to Chicago, Paul shared his experiences in Peregrinations III.
Reflecting on a tree planting in Chile — one of many during the trip, he noted that he thought of tree plantings as a symbol of good will, and hoped that the trees he had planted at home and abroad would stand for generations. Continue reading
“If you have the love of your fellow men in your hearts, my friends, you are a potential Rotarian.”
Paul Harris
On 27 June, Rotary founder Paul Harris gave a live radio broadcast from the 1933 convention in Boston. Near the end of his talk, Harris noted that Rotary is a way of life and the world is full of potential Rotarians.
Celebrate Harris’s birthday on 19 April by listening to his message. How will you share his vision with prospective members you know? Leave a comment below.
Rotary Voices 