We wish to make a Toast to Paul Harris and his colleagues and the organization they founded, Rotary International.
Rotary International brings together more than 35000 Rotary Clubs that create a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
We can point to examples such as Polio Plus where Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
To conclude this toast, I offer a quote from Paul Harris shortly after RI’s founding: Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves. Words that have proven to be so prophetic today!
Please join me in a toast to Rotary International:
TO ROTARY INTERNATIONAL!
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