The 1905 Society

Rotary Global History has one tangible connection with the start of the first Rotary club. It is the 1905 Liberty V Nickel. Paul Harris and his close friends Silvester Schiele and Harry Ruggles most likely carried many of them in 1905. Given inflation it had the buying power of today's dollar.

A few coins

We have found a few of these time worn historic coins and have presented them to Rotarians who have shown that they understand the well worn values of Rotary and the need to pass that information on to others.

Our presentation

Those listed on this page have been presented with this gift, with our sincere thanks for their leadership and stewardship of Rotary's History.

Paul Harris

With an inspiration in 1900, Paul Harris carries an idea. Then at 37 years old he goes with a close friend to meet two acquaintances on 23 February 1905.

Silvester Schiele

One of Paul's early clients and lifelong friend. Paul and Silvester and discussed the idea many times before the night he and Paul joined the the others. Silester became the first president of any Rotary Club.

Harry Ruggles

Though Harry, a printer and friend of Paul's had also had discussions about the idea, he does not seem to have been available for the gathering on 23 February. Harry's life in Rotary was of great importance starting with the second meeting. He is the "Fifth" Rotarian.

Jonathan Majiyagbe

The first black president and the first from Africa of Rotary International, from Kano, Nigeria. A strong believer in the value of history. 2003-2004

Glenn Estess, Sr.

Glenn led Rotary during its centennial year and planned to honor the founders and the history of Rotary. 2004-2005

Bhichai Rattakul

A former delegate to the United Nations from his native country, Thailand, Bhichai was president in 2002-2003

Rich King

Rick encouraged the use of the history fellowship to increase communication among clubs. RI President 2001-2002

Frank Devlin

Frank endorsed the history fellowship and became a director of the project in 2003. He called history an "instrumental tool for those forward-thinking people who wish to learn from our history, in order to guide our future." Frank Devlyn was RI president 1999-2000

Glen Kinross

Glen, the fifth president from Australia and New Zealand was president from 1997-1998

Luis Giay

Luis worked with a history fellowship after his presidency. 1996-1997

Cliff Dochterman & Maryellena

Cliff served as RI president from 1992-1993. His book the "ABC's" of Rotary added greatly to our history. A noted historian, speaker and author.

Davit Liddiatt

President of R.I.B.I in 2001-2002 and a contributor to the knowledge of British and Irish history on this project.

Gary Huang

Vice President of Rotary in 2000

Norbert Turco

RI treasurer in 2001 and a strong supporter of Rotary Global History.

Keith Bernard-Jones

Director of Zones 17-18 for 2001-2003, in the UK and Ireland. Keith supported and contributed to the history Fellowship.

Floyd Olson

Floyd was RI director for Zones 23-24 from 2001-2003 and supported the project on his zone website

Lynn and Norma Hammond

RI director Lynn Hammond was a great friend of the history Fellowship. He and his wife Norma were the inspiration for our "What Paul Harris Wrote" feature. He served in zones 25-26 from 2000-2002

Jerry Meigs

Jerry representated zones 27-28, 2001-2003, during the formative years of the history fellowship and was a strong supporter.

Don Osburn

Don was a good friend of history from the beginning, serving as director 2000-2002 from zones 31-32.

David Michaux

David represented zones 34-35 from 2000-2002 and supported the project on his zone website.

Mike Pinson

Mike represented zones 25-26 on the RI board from 2002-2004 and promoted Rotary Global History.

Ed Juta

Ed, a PDG from Hawaii, became General Secretary of Rotary International in 2000 and has been helpful in assisting the history fellowship RI relations.

Karen Lillie and Jim Billings

These two Pueblo #43, Colorado presidents were responsible for allowing this project to begin when it was part of their own club's website.

Danny Brock

2001-2002 Utah DG, Danny was active in the building of the history fellowship.

Joaquín Mejía

Garth Stevens

While dying of cancer, Garth completed the first 10 histories of his county, New Zealand. He died shortly after the last was published. A true hero, gentle-man and friend. His work will forever be his tribute.

Bill Ecker

Major General Bill, was the long time executive director of the world's second club, San Francisco. He inspired hundred of Rotarians to care about the history of Rotary. After retirement, he served as president of his club. He formerly commanded the U.S. Army's Presidio in San Francisco, CA.

Marlene Brown

Marlene spent many weeks during the formation of this project to give it a look, that mostly remains today. She is a hard working Rotarian known throughout the Rotary world and was named an honory member of our committee.

Tom Todd

PDG Tom was the energy behind Rotary's first ever conference on technology. His work created greater interest in the internet and for that we thanked him.

Cyndi Beck

Cyndi, assistant archivist at Rotary International was invaluable in the formation of this project. Her work and touch is found throughout. She is one of our best friends in Evanston.

Jim Marquis

Jim is past president of the Rotary Club of Wallingford, which happens meet in the school house built by Paul Harris' great grand father Rustin. However, he lives in the home built by Paul's grand father, Howard. It was in Jim's home that Paul learned to be a boy and a man. It was Wallingford which shaped the mind that brought us Rotary and Jim protects that home for us.

Helen Reisler

Helen may have been the first woman to preside over club #6. But club #6 is RC of New York City and her year was 2001-2002. She was the leader and the glue that bound shocked members and a part of a grieving community after the tragedy of 9/11 when two fully fueled airliners packed with passengers were used as bombs at New York's World Trade Center. Learn more at "Clubs" and "We remember 9/11."