In 1905, A Chicago lawyer, Paul Harris, founded Rotary International. Starting with a small group of businessmen who gathered to exchange ideas, these principles have grown to thousands of Rotary clubs around the world, boasting memberships into the millions.

   The name Rotary was chosen to reflect a custom in the early days of the first Rotary club. The group rotated the site of it's meetings among the members places of business.

The rotation, an integral part of the founder's, original concept, was designed to acquaint members with one another's vocations and to promote business. The popularity of Rotary and it's rapid growth soon made this custom impractical.

   Based on the concept of "service above self", Rotary International has spear headed the peace movement around the world. The tearing down of the Berlin wall, the dramatic changes in Russia, and the end of the cold war are some of the world events which felt the touches of peace and brotherhood of Rotary International.

   Rotary works in small clubs throughout the world, fostering understanding, mutual respect, and the development of community leadership and service through a friendly exchange of ideas. This philosophy has been embraced by the membership of the Southwick Rotary Club since it's inception. Chartered in the spring of 1982, through the sponsorship of the Rotary Club of Westfield, the Rotary Club of Southwick celebrated it's 15th anniversary on May 28, 1997. This celebration served as the continuation of the Rotarians who formed the nucleus of the club through the years. Eight of the thirty one chartered members on May 28, 1982 are still active members today.

    Entering a period of high economic growth, the Club was very successful with its first attempts at fundraising. The first and most successful raffle, a new car, tickets sold at $100.00 - - today $10.00 raffles are a hard sell. In the late 1980's everyone began to experience a downturn in the economy. Corporations were laying off. Somehow the Rotary Club still made a major impact on the community. Today, Fundraisers such as the annual Steak Roast and 50's dance are still being conducted and continue to be attended by many people of the community.

    Over the years, revenues gained from these benefits funded several academic scholarships including the initial funding of the $1500 Emerald Shield scholarship for students graduating from STRHS or students living in the community but graduating from other schools. In addition to the two academic scholarships offered each year, the Club has added a scholarship aimed towards a vocational or technical education. The Club has sponsored students from STRHS to participate in the annual World Affairs Seminar held at the University of Wisconsin. In 1997, a program called New Generations was held at Springfield Technical College. The program, which was run by students, dealt with critical issues such as drug usage, teen pregnancies, etc. About 250 students from the District, consisting of Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut, attended the conference, five of them from our community. Today, the Club embraces the RYLA programs of Rotary and each year selects two to three sophomores from STRHS for a daylong leadership seminar held at Springfield College.

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