Paul Harris was a lawyer in Chicago and in 1905, he organised the first Rotary Club "in fellowship and friendship" with three of his clients, Silvester Schele, Gustavus Loehr, and Hiram Shorey. His initial goal was to create a club of professional and business men for friendship and fellowship. Early on, he realised that Rotary needed a greater purpose. While he served as president of the Chicago Rotary Club in 1907, the club initiated its first public service project, the construction of public toilets in Chicago. This step transformed Rotary into the world's first Service Club.
Harris had great ambitions for the growth of Rotary, and very early in the organisation's history new clubs were started, first on the west coast, and then all over the US and in Europe.
By the time of his death at the age of seventy-nine, Rotary International had grown to more than 200,000 members in 75 countries.
In many parts of the world, individuals who have contributed more than $1000 to the Annual Program Fund, the Polio Plus Fund or the Humanitarian Grants Program of the Rotary Foundation are recognised as Paul Harris Fellows. Some clubs are proud to boast that 100% of their membership have received the award!
In Whitstable, we have settled on a slightly different approach. We view the PHF as an opportunity to honour members of our club for their outstanding service to Rotary and society. It is not an honour that we bestow lightly and we are very proud of our members who have received this prestigious award. We also have the opportunity to bestow the award upon members of our community, who while not being a member of Whitstable, have made an outstanding contribution to our society.
Whitstable Rotary Club are proud of the following members, who have all become Paul Harris Fellows:
David Rowe Brian White Kim Foster Richard Miller Chris Davey
Mike Bantin Paul Addis Brian Brooks Rob Smyth David Feasey
(with chip) (with chip)
Kevin Fielding Andrew Gough Paul Downes David Cavell Malcolm Ramsey
