Rotary is a global network of more than 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.

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Learn more about our structure and our foundation and our strategic vision.

What we do

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our more than 45,000 clubs work together to:

Our mission

We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Vision statement

Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Paul Harris Fellows

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.

Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.

A.Z. Baker, 1955-56 RI president, admires a newly minted Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the 1969 Rotary Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

The first Paul Harris Fellows included past RI Director Allison G. Brush, who served during the 1937-38 Rotary year, and longtime RI Treasurer Rufus F. Chapin, both for donations made in 1946. Mrs. Adan Vargas was the first woman to receive the recognition, for a gift made in 1953. Mrs. Harry L. Jones was the second, and one of only five people recognized for contributions actually made in that inaugural year.

Early Paul Harris Fellows received a certificate of recognition. In 1969, the Foundation unveiled the first Paul Harris Fellow medallion at the Rotary Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. Japanese metal artist Fiju Tsuda created the piece under the direction of former Foundation Trustee Kyozo Yuasa. Today, Paul Harris Fellows receive a certificate and pin. They are also eligible to buy a Paul Harris Fellow medallion.

Many other notable figures have been named Paul Harris Fellows, including U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk.

The number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the 1 million mark in 2006.

Paul Harris Fellows in Nashville Rotary

Alan D. Valentine
Alfred Degrafinreid II
Angus Crook MD
Anna Roberts
Ben A. Burns
Ben S. Gambill Jr.
Berje K. Yacoubian
Bob W. Benson
Brian Haile
Byron R. Trauger
C. Thomas Harrington
Carlene Lebous
Charles A. Sueing Jr.
Charles L. Hankla
Charles L. Starks
Charles O. Frazier
Charles W. Dunn
Charlie G. Sell
Christopher C. Sabis
Clark Spoden
Clay T. Jackson
Collen Mayer
David B. Amiot
David E. Briggs
David E. Hornsby
David L. Battis
David L. Condra
David W. Levy
Davis W. Turner
Deborah Varallo
Derek W Anderson
Diana Pelham
Donald E. Williams
Doug Gold
Edward E. Birthright
Elizabeth Crook
Ernest A. Clevenger
Evette White
Frank A. Wilk Jr.
Frank B. Sheffield Jr.
Frederick Lee Blank III
Frederick M. Dowling
Gary Everton FAIA
Genma Stringer Holmes
Gerald W. Brase
Gil Fuqua
Grace Sutherland Smith
Graham Thomas
H. Hill McAlister
Hal B. Johnson
Harry Chapman
Harry L. Allen
Jack D. Fleischer
Jack L. May
James V. Vandiver
James W. Spradley Jr.
Janet M. Miller
Jeff Fincher
Jeffrey W. Jowdy
Jerry P. Crook MD
Jo D. Federspiel
Joanne Pulles
Joel Sullivan
Joyce Espy Searcy
Katherine Kelly O’Connor
Katherine M. Willey
Katherine Nicholson
Ken Youngstead
Kimberly K. Estep
Kristen L Keely-Dinger
Lady A. Bird
Laquita R. Stribling
Larry L. Woods
Laurence M. Papel
Lucy R. Carter
Margaret L. Behm
Mark A. McNeely
Mark H. Lincoln
Marlene Eskind Moses
Meredith Libbey
Neil R. Dobson
Phil Ryan
Philip M. Pfeffer
Ralph J. Schulz Jr.
Renee D. Drake
Rhonda E. Nelson
Robert B. Street
Robert C. Fisher
Robert C. Ripley MD
Robert Johnson
Robert L. Smith
Robert L. Stokes
Robert M. Sullins
Rodger Dinwiddie
Rodrick B. Ballard
Ronald Q. Roberts
S. Jackson Faris II
Sara J. Finley
Sarah Hardison Reisner
Scott Maylath
Stephanie Coleman
Stephen O. Hewlett
Stewart Bronaugh Jr.
Summer S. Bryan Jr.
Susan A. Huggins
Suzanne J. Buchanan
Suzanne S. Iler
Tari P. Hughes
Theresa C. Carl
Tim Ozgener
Tim Schoettle MD
Todd Smith
Tony Heard
Van G. Pond Jr.
Vance P. Derryberry
Walker C. Mathews
William A. Martin Jr.
William B. Lee
William C. Koch Jr.
William D. Morgan
William G. Coble
William H. Hawkins
William L. Norton III
William Polk Alexander III
Willliam G. Coke