When did Rotary become Rotary International?

Transcript :

Rotary International, as we know it, has not always appeared on the Rotary’s letterhead.

In 1910, five years after the first Rotary club was founded in Chicago, the existing clubs, all located in the USA, came together to form the National Association of Rotary Clubs of the United States of America.

In August 1912, Rotary crossed the Atlantic with the Rotary Club of London‘s creation (UK).

Potential members of the London Club wondered why they had to join and pay dues to an association that consisted only of American clubs.

After the London and Winnipeg clubs’ establishment, the name of the Association became the International Association of Rotary Clubs.

Then, at the 1922 Rotary Convention in Los Angeles, representatives shortened the name to Rotary International.

They also introduced into Rotary’s Constitution the Purpose of Rotary, which remains one of our guiding principles.