About Orange Park
Rotary Club of Orange Park is one of more than 35,000 chartered clubs worldwide. The objective of Rotary is service in the community, the workforce, and around the world. Rotary Club of Orange Park develops Clay County community service projects that address issues of children at risk, poverty and hunger, the environment, illiteracy, and veteran's needs.
Rotary Club of Orange Park also supports local youth programs, and international exchange students. Rotary Club of Orange Park was chartered on September 17, 1969. The Club holds weekly luncheon meetings on Tuesdays at 12 noon. at the Holiday Inn in Orange Park, Florida.
INTRODUCTION TO ROTARY
Definition of Rotary
Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace in the world.
Birth of Rotary & Paul Harris
Rotary was founded on February 23, 1905, by Paul Harris, a young lawyer, in
Chicago Illinois. On that day he met with three other businessmen — a coal
dealer, a mining engineer, and a tailor in the tailor’s office at 127 North Dearborn
Street.
Rotary Flag
One of the colorful traditions of many Rotary clubs, including ours, is the exchange of a small banner. Rotarians traveling to distant locations are encouraged to take banners to exchange at “make-up” meetings as a token of friendship.
Object of Rotary
The object of Rotary is “to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of
worthy enterprise.”
This ideal of service is fostered through: the development of acquaintance as the
opportunity for service; the promotion of high ethical standards in business and
professions; service in one’s personal, business and community life; and the
advancement of international understanding, goodwill and peace.
Rotary Motto
In 1989, Rotary established “Service Above Self” as the principal motto of
Rotary, since it best explains the philosophy of selfish volunteer service.
4-Way Test
One of the most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics in the
world is the Rotary “4-Way Test.” The message should be known and followed
by all Rotarians.
The 4- Way Test of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
-
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Personal Privileges
It is important to remember that the primary purpose of Rotary membership is to
provide each member with a unique opportunity to serve others, and membership
is not intended as a means for personal profit or special privileges.
New members are usually disappointed if they join Rotary to quickly generate
business leads. On the other hand, increased business, over time, often comes
as the natural result of friendships created in Rotary.
A Rotarian should not expect, and far less should he or she ask for, more
consideration or advantages from a fellow Rotarian than the latter would give to
any other business or professional associate with whom he has business
relations.
Rotary On-Line
A wealth of Rotary information and special services are available on the Rotary
International Web-site: www.rotary.org