Interested in Membership with the Rotary Club of Houston?
Letter from the President
Dear Fellow Rotarian:
In 1912, seven years after the formation of a club in Chicago that founder Paul Harris called "Rotary", a group of Houston businessmen picked up the idea. Rotary, so-named because members would "rotate" meetings at each other's places of business, began in Houston with 19 members. Like other Rotary clubs, the Rotary Club of Houston was founded by business people working together to benefit their community under the mandate: Service Above Self. However, the Rotary Club of Houston impacted Rotary nationally and internationally from the start.
The present divisional plan of government for Rotary began with the Houston club. When the Rotary Club of Houston wanted to bring the Rotary National Association convention to the city in 1914, leadership enlisted the help of Rotary clubs statewide, forming the first State organization. National headquarters took note and at the Houston Convention, adopted the district form of government. Within the first five years of its existence, the Rotary Club of Houston helped organize more than 30 Rotary clubs nationwide, and through the years, organized more than 50 clubs in the greater Houston area. The Rotary Club of Houston was the first to spearhead the largest single fund drive in Rotary history to build the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International, serving cancer patients and their families from around the world.
The Rotary Club of Houston has a history of breaking new ground from its beginning as one of the first 100 Rotary clubs in the world. A full-time staff supports our 300+ members, working together on many community service projects at one time. In this way, our members form ties that are solidified in service - the Rotary standard.
As the second century of Rotary dawns, the Rotary Club of Houston embarks on its' most ambitious project since the construction of Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International. The East End Initiative will address quality of life issues in one of Houston's poorest communities. In collaboration with local Rotary Clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and major Corporate Partners, the Rotary Club of Houston will seek to offer educational, economic and healthcare assistance to this historic neighborhood. We invite the Greater Houston Community to join us in this major initiative as we seek to serve those most in need.
We are excited that you are interested in joining the Rotary Club of Houston, because your contributions can help shape our future direction, even as the club broadens and expands yours. Remember, our mission is to improve the quality of human life through volunteer community service - Service Above Self.
Vern Swisher
President
Rotary Club of Houston
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“From Camp Enterprise to its East End Initiative, the Rotary Club of Houston is actively engaged in making all corners of our community great places to live and work. It is gratifying to support the Rotary from a corporate level, but even more rewarding to see our employees contribute their time as Rotarians. Amegy Bank salutes the Rotary Club of Houston for its consistent leadership and service.”
Paul Murphy, CEO, Amegy Bank
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"Service Above Self" vs. "What's in it for me?"
At the Rotary Club of Houston, we believe that these two quotes are not mutually exclusive and that they fit together very well. The Rotary Club of Houston is a club of more than 350 business and professional men and women working together to improve our local and international community. The club is also a social and educational forum where members make life-long friends and exchange information on popular business and political developments.
We've been providing opportunities for busy professionals to "give something back" since our founding in 1912. Our long-time motto has been, "Service Above Self", but today we invite you to ask the very important question, "What's in it for me?"
To that end, we would like to invite you to attend one of our meetings and observe Rotary in action.
If Rotary appears to be the right combination of "giving back" and business networking, we would be happy to provide more information about possible membership for you or a member of your organization.
Interested In Membership?
Rotarians are business and professional leaders who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives. The Rotary club of Houston contains a diverse group of professional leaders from the Greater Houston Area.
Membership in the Rotary club of Houston offers a number of benefits, including:
- Effecting change within the community
- Advancing business and professional contacts
- Developing leadership skills
- Gaining an understanding of and having an impact on international humanitarian issues
To express your interest in the Rotary Club of Houston, fill out the Prospective Member Form and someone from our Membership Committee will contact you.
Click here for a listing of our Honorary Members
20 Answers to the Question: Why Join Rotary?
- Friendship: In an increasingly complex world, Rotary provides one of
the most basic human needs: the need for friendship and fellowship. It
is one of two reasons why Rotary began in 1905.
- Business Development: The second original reason for Rotary's beginning is business development.
Everyone needs to network. Rotary consists of a cross-section of every
business community. Its members come from all walks of life. Rotarians
help each other and collectively help others.
- Personal Growth and Development: Membership in Rotary ensures continuing
growth and education in human relations and personal development.
- Leadership Development: Rotary is an organization of leaders and successful
people. Serving in Rotary positions is like a college education. Leadership
is all about learning how to motivate, influence and lead leaders.
- Citizenship in the Community: Membership in a Rotary club helps develop
better community citizens. The average Rotary club consists of the most
active citizens of any community.
- Continuing Education: Each week at Rotary, there is a program designed
to keep members informed about what is going on in the community, nation
and world. Each meeting provides an opportunity to listen to different
speakers on a variety of timely topics.
- Fun: Rotary is a fun and exciting place to be.
- Prestige: Rotary members are prominent people: leaders of business, the
professions, art, government, sports, military, religion, and all disciplines.
Rotary is the oldest and most prestigious service club in the world. Its
ranks include executives, managers, and professionals – people who
make decisions and influence policy.
- Citizenship in the World: Every Rotarian wears a pin that says “Rotary
International.” There are few places on the globe that do not have
a Rotary club. Every Rotarian is welcome – even encouraged – to
attend any of the 30,000 clubs in 194 nations and geographical regions. This
encourages new friendships in both local and world communities.
- Assistance When Traveling: Traveling Rotarians can secure medical and
professional assistance as well as services and advice from fellow Rotarians
throughout the world.
- Public Speaking Skills: Many individuals who joined Rotary were uncomfortable
about speaking in public. Rotary develops confidence and skill in public
communication and the opportunity to practice and perfect these skills.
- Entertainment: Every Rotary club and district has parties and activities
that contribute to a diverse, yet professional business life. Rotary holds
conferences, conventions, assemblies, and institutes that provide entertainment
in addition to Rotary information, education, and service.
- Development of Social Skills: Every week and at various events and functions,
Rotary develops one’s personality, social skills and people skills.
Rotary is for people who like people.
- Family Programs: Rotary provides one of the world’s largest youth
exchange programs; high school and college clubs for future Rotarians; opportunities
for spouse involvement; and a host of activities designed to help family
members in growth and the development of family values.
- Vocational Skills: Every Rotarian is expected to take part in the growth
and development of his or her own profession or vocation; to serve on committees
and to teach youth about jobs or vocations. Rotary helps to make each invidual
a better doctor, lawyer, teacher, etc.
- The Development of Ethics: Rotarians practice a 4-Way Test that governs
their ethical standards. Rotarians are expected to be ethical in business
and personal relationships.
- Cultural Awareness: Around the world, practically every religion, country,
culture, race, creed, political persuasion, language, color and ethnic
identity is represented among members of Rotary. Rotary is a cross section
of the world’s most prominent citizens who are aware of their cultures and
have developed a love of working with people everywhere. They become better
citizens of their countries in the process.
- Nice People: Rotarians are the nicest people on the face of the earth.
- Absence of an Official Creed: Rotary has no secret handshake, no official
creed, no secret meetings or rituals. It is an open society of men and
women who simply believe in helping others.
- Opportunity to Serve: As a service club, Rotary’s business is mankind and its product is service. This is perhaps the best reason for becoming a Rotarian: the chance to do for others and to experience the fulfillment that comes from service above self.
“He profits most who serves best.”
“20 Answer”s excerpted from an article by:
Richard D. King
Rotary International President 2001-02
The Rotary Club of Houston welcomes the following new member inducted on April 17, 2008:
Joe Devine
Magazines - Publishing
Envy Publications
Archie Dishman
Associations - United Way
United Way of Greater Houston
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"What is Rotary?" - A Slide Presentation
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