Rotary History
Over time, Rotary's reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world.
Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.
Rotary in Kingsville
The first record of an attempt to organize a Rotary Club in Kingsville was in a letter from Henry B. Baldwin of Corpus Christi to Charles H. Flato, Jr., dated January 15, 1918. Rumor has it that Mr. Flato, who had been appointed chairman of the organizing committee, found opposition to the project based on a concern that such a club would conflict with the Kleberg County Commercial Club (now the Chamber of Commerce). Considerable correspondence followed thereafter culminating in a telegram from Mr. Flato to Mr. Baldwin, which stated, "Regret very much that it is not possible to join you in your good work in Rotary at this time."
Not giving up on the idea of a club in Kingsville, a new committee consisting of people not connected with previous efforts was appointed. They met March 6, 1923, in the Kleberg Bank (now the Municipal Building) in the office of Dr. J. V. Chandler. In attendance were Mell Nuckols, J. D. Cage, Henry Hutto, Dick Moss, John Cypher, and Chandler. Two months later, the first meeting of Rotary Club of Kingsville was held May 26, 1923, at 2 p.m. in the Flato Opera House.
Organized to bring local professionals and community leaders together for the betterment of our world, we are proud to continue that work to this day.
—briefed from: Rotary History. Kingsville Rotary Club, Spring 1995.
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
- FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service
- SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society
- THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life
- FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings;
Of the things we think, say or do:
- Is it the TRUTH?
- Is it FAIR to all concerned?
- Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
- Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Avenues of Service
We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of club activity:
- CLUB Service focuses on making clubs strong; a thriving club is anchored by strong relationships and an active membership development plan
- VOCATIONAL Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society; learn more in An Introduction to Vocational Service and the Code of Conduct
- COMMUNITY Service encourages every Rotarian to find ways to improve the quality of life for people in their communities and to serve the public interest; learn more in Communities in Action: A Guide to Effective Projects
- INTERNATIONAL Service exemplifies our global reach in promoting peace and understanding; we support this service avenue by sponsoring or volunteering on international projects, seeking partners abroad, and more
- YOUTH Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs such as Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and Rotary Youth Exchange