24/02/2026
2026-02-23 A warm greeting & sharing by our District Governor Cassy Cheng: 😊
Today was a day of double celebration! It was Renri (人日), the "Everyone's Birthday" in Chinese tradition—celebrating the creation of life and humanity. And on this same auspicious day, we also mark the 121st birthday of Rotary Int'l.
On this evening 121 years ago, a young lawyer named Paul Harris invited 3 acquaintances to meet in Room 711 of the Unity Building at 127 North Dearborn Street.
That night, 4 men came together:
· Paul Harris, the lawyer and founder
· Gustavus Loehr, a mining engineer (whose office hosted that 1st meeting)
· Silvester Schiele, a coal merchant
· Hiram Shorey, a merchant tailor
They didn't draft a charter or launch a campaign. They simply talked, shared ideas, and formed a friendship. They decided to meet again, rotating among their offices— a practice that gave us the name Rotary.
Within months, a fifth member—Harry Ruggles, a printer—joined what became the Rotary Club of Chicago. By the end of 1905, the club had 30 members.
Just 2 years later in 1907, that small fellowship took its 1st step into service. When a doctor, a fellow member, lost his horse in an accident, the club pooled money and bought him a new one. That same year, they completed their 1st community project: constructing public lavatories in Chicago's City Hall.
From that simple act of kindness, a movement was born. "Service Above Self" began to take root. By 1921, Rotary had clubs on 6 continents, and in 1922, the organization officially became Rotary Int’l.
The torch lit 121 years ago has passed through generations. Today, it represents the child we immunize against polio (from 350,000 cases annually to just 2 in 2025), the communities we provide with clean water, and the peace we foster through understanding.
So on this Founders' Day, and this "Everyone's Birthday”, let us remember: It all started with 4 professionals who believed that friendship could become service, and that service could change the world.
Let's continue to unite for good and carry the torch forward with pride, today and always🌱
#團結行善
