Cultivating Leaders
(1931-1957)
As Rotary clubs continue to spread around the world, we establish ourselves as leaders in international cooperation. Within the organization, we change our governance structure to give members a greater voice in leading Rotary.
![](https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_250/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=-wn8PUom 250w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_400/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=gGOUR95s 400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_500/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=Qsf8E29e 500w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_600/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=OOZDMDVS 600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_800/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=lpN7Zxhf 800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1000/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=45VChgWr 1000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1200/public/rotary-timeline-1943.jpg?itok=RkNZpKWl 1200w)
1943: The Four Way Test
Rotary adopts The Four-Way Test, one of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics. Herbert J. Taylor, a member of the Rotary Club of Chicago, drafted the test in 1932 to help an aluminum company on the verge of bankruptcy during the Great Depression.
1945: Rotary and the United Nations
Rotary International serves as a consultant to the U.S. delegation at the United Nations charter conference in San Francisco. Eleven people officially represent Rotary in this capacity. Other members attend as delegates or consultants to their countries.
![](https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_400/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=cyMi_K_J 400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_600/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=6uAZIWVI 600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_800/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=QYsSUOu4 800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1000/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=ECdccgp5 1000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1200/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=HEbjxPWY 1200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1400/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=oqmt8ko8 1400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1600/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=4sgHd6rz 1600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1800/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=8P0Mneak 1800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2000/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=IAgZ9wIA 2000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2200/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=AdH7UV05 2200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2400/public/rotary-timeline-1945.jpg?itok=R7_uqAD9 2400w)
A telegram inviting Rotary International to assist the United States delegation in 1945. Rotary's early involvement with the UN sets the stage for future partnerships with UN agencies.
![](https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_400/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=6ab_0NRC 400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_600/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=5LwcdZ7P 600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_800/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=0RH7AO4X 800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1000/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=BuxkCwON 1000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1200/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=4CpJX4Hf 1200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1400/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=IEt88TOm 1400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1600/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=oqYJkB1m 1600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1800/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=reZoxbyg 1800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2000/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=CvhMxepm 2000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2200/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=lfsHIdx2 2200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2400/public/rotary-timeline-1947A.jpg?itok=wH_XaErD 2400w)
After the death of Paul Harris on 27 January 1947, Rotary sends members a telegram telling them of his desire that, in lieu of flowers, they make contributions to the Foundation.
1947: Paul Harris dies
After a prolonged illness, Rotary's founder dies in January. Members contribute more than $1 million in his memory in the following 18 months. The money is used to support the Foundation's scholarship program.
1947: The first Foundation program
This Foundation program supports scholarships for graduate study abroad and is designed to foster international understanding. Rotary would continue to support education, and the program would be known by many names, including Ambassadorial Scholars and Rotary Scholars.
![](https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_250/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=WLiYDAHi 250w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_400/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=FkPTW8RI 400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_500/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=aB9gzkRo 500w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_600/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=4TmfFRKM 600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_800/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=DTlNyhr7 800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1000/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=geVNF0ft 1000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1200/public/rotary-timeline-1947B.jpg?itok=Tcm5tB3r 1200w)
![](https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_400/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=fuYqStXb 400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_600/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=hmGtjUhC 600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_800/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=ppB6Uyp7 800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1000/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=X8jyBIN4 1000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1200/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=b1-5o35j 1200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1400/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=LFG1Z2Gp 1400w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1600/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=6zpWDuzP 1600w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_1800/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=YCf2VvPh 1800w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2000/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=hGEE1tHK 2000w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2200/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=ZQ40DXhJ 2200w, https://www.rotary.org/sites/default/files/styles/w_2400/public/rotary-timeline-1957.jpg?itok=BMc8DFMy 2400w)
An early Paul Harris Fellow medallion.
1957: Rotary recognizes donors
Paul Harris Fellow recognition is established in 1957 to show appreciation for and encourage substantial contributions to the Foundation.