Paul P.Harris's  Radio Speech - Boston Convention 1933

(Paul Harris recording is a courtesy of The "History" Project committee member Art McCullough)

1933, Boston: Chesley Perry, general secretary, Rotary International: “ Twenty-eight years ago the first Rotary Club was started in Chicago by a lawyer though born in the Middle-West,  was brought up in New England.

It was his idea to have a group of men of every line of business and profession who should in the spirit of the “Golden Rules” - practice friendship and cooperation. From that club has grown  the world's  movement of Rotary.

That Chicago lawyer - who still lives in Chicago, is here tonight. And it is now my privilege and honor to present him to you. I introduce to you all Paul P. Harris”:

“Friends of the air. It is a real privilege to address you. We are gathered together in Boston from almost every civilized country of the world. We come from the British Isles, China, Japan, European and South American countries,  Australia, New Zealand,  and many others.

More than forty nations are representing them and some of the delegates will have circled the globe on the return to their native countries. It is a most inspiring occasion.

In the present to this gathering, my mind very naturally reverts to that first meeting which was held in Chicago 28 years ago. Four of us were in attendance: Mity Oaks, Spont  Little, April  Grow.

Perhaps there are 2 features of Rotary which more than any others challenge the attention of those who are not Rotarians.

One is  what we call our classification plan by virtual bridge. Membership in Rotary is limited to one representative of each line of trade or profession.

The other is the provision that neither riches, political nor religious standings shall constitute barriers to membership.

To these two provisions, Rotary is zone open to representatives of all rocks of life.

To representatives of all countries and all forms of religion.  

Would this mean to open the door to all manner of discards? One might think so. In fact many of that that human ingenuity could hardly divide a plan of organization frosted with terror. Here in life Virginia and the Rotary the glorious Rotary.

The formula of procedure is indeed simple. Why Rotarians differ in many respects - in two respects they are in perfect accord.

First they believe that all nations are respectable and desired to be honorable in their  dealings with other nations. That it is the privilege of all men to wish its good according to the dictates of their own conscience. In other words Rotary stands for - (missing word)

Second they believe, that all are noble occasions and symbols of recognition if they are used in the service of society.

With these signs of agreement firmly established, disagreement is almost unknown.

Rotary emphasizes the points of agreement and avoids controversial issues.

Rotary thus becomes the common denominator to that sanctuary to which all are welcome.

Is there any valid reason why catholic and protestant, Jew and gentile should not enjoy friendly intercourse?

Where it is done in rotary catholic priests, Jewish rabbis and protestant ministers sit side by side in happy fellowship at Rotary Club meetings. Even if travels take you to India there you may meet Ramadans, Hindus and Christians, breaking bread together. Is this not as it should be?

Remember the words: These honored goodwill toward all men.

To put it readily: Rotary is trying to make the words of Robert Burns come true:

You remember that: The time will come for all of us where man to man shall Brithers be for a'that.

Those are besides membership frequently asked questions.

How did it come about? That's a hard question to answer.

One answer would be that Rotary's popular appeal is due to the fact that In Rotary men are encouraged to be natural. Just to be themselves.  In this world were arching jealousies so abound, it is refreshing to meet with groups who are not worshippers of cold meaningless formalities.

Further there is a bit of the boy in every man, and friendly natural intercourse is the best way to bring it out.

I wished it might be your privilege, as it is mine tonight,  to look in on this happy assembly of big strong men from occident and orient from the frozen north and from down beneath the equator .

Many of them have their wives with them and a basis of all our radiance with smiles ... when they clasped each others hands.  If you were here I believe that you would agree with me in my conclusion that the words of the Bard of Ayr  were not the expression of an idle dream, that they were indeed prophetic and that the finest section of human mind the conception of universal goodwill and peace will in good time be realized in very truth.

Rotary in a final analysis is a way of life, of a good, natural, wholesome friendly way of life.

The world is full of potential Rotarians who are not Rotarians in fact.

Many of them are listening to me now.

If you have the love of your fellowmen in your heart my friends, you are potential Rotarians.

(Speech written down by PP Karl Kipping, RC Alsfeld D 1820)