Club History
On February 23, 1905, Attorney Paul P. Harris convened a group of men from various vocations in Chicago, IL. This group of professionals soon became the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago.
By 1910 Rotary had expanded to 15 clubs with over 1000 members across the United States. Rotary went international in 1912 when the first club outside the United States was chartered in Winnepeg. By 1921 there were 1000 Rotary Clubs around the world.
The Four Way Test was adopted in 1943. In 1979 the Rotary Foundation funded a grant to immunize six million children against polio in the Philippines. This began what has become a decade’s long commitment by Rotary to eradicate polio worldwide. In 1989 Rotary membership was opened up to women.
The “Noon Club” was the first Rotary Club established in Mason City (1916). Noon club member Bill Killpack served as the’89-’90 District Governor, and established an aggressive expansion goal across the District. Under his leadership, and with support from the Noon Club, Mason City Sunrise Rotary was chartered on June 14, 1990. Since its inception, the Sunrise Club has met at 7:00 am on Thursday mornings at the Holiday Inn.
Membership in Rotary is a wonderful opportunity to network with business professionals, and to be a part of a worldwide service club. Whether you’re a fellow Rotarian passing through, or someone searching for an opportunity to make a difference, please know you are welcome to visit our club any time!