Rotary is a service association of business and professional leaders united worldwide who conduct humanitarian projects, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and work toward world understanding and peace.  There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians, members of more than 29,000 Rotary clubs in 162 countries. While Rotary is steeped in tradition, it is also a constantly evolving entity as the needs of those we serve and those of us who serve change and grow.

Provides a Community Service.  We divide our activities into four areas:

1.   Club Service

2.   Vocational Service

3.   Community Service

4.   International Service

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 acquaintances as an opportunity for service.

THIRD The application of the ideal of service by every Rotarian to his 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.

Rotary's first roots grew out of  Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1905 when lawyer Paul Harris invited three friends to a meeting  to discuss formation of a club to kindle fellowship among members of the business community. Paul Harris'  idea sprang from his desire to find within the large city the kind of friendly spirit that he knew in the villages where he had grown up.

Paul Harris, Sylvester Schiele

By the end of 1905, the club's roster showed a membership of 30 with Sylvester Schiele as president and Ruggles as treasurer. Paul Harris declined office in the new club and didn't become its president until two years later. 

Rotary Club 210 (later under redistricting it becomes Club 1621) was formed in 1915, and received its charter on April 1, 1916 with 32 members.

The Leavenworth, Kansas Rotary Club was the 210th Rotary club chartered by Rotary International and the fourth club to receive a charter in the Kansas and Missouri area.

The other early pioneer clubs in Kansas / Missouri area are: Kansas City, MO Club 13 organized in 1910;  the Topeka Downtown Club in 1914, and the Kansas City, Kansas Club in 1915.

When you consider that there are over 29,000 clubs today, we of Club 1621 are proud to be one of the early pioneers in Rotary. 

• Is it the TRUTH?
• Is it FAIR to all concerned?
• Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS ?
• Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned ?

As a Rotarian engaged in a business or profession, I am expected to:

• Consider my vocation to be another opportunity to serve;
• Be faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the ethical codes of my vocation, to the laws of my country, and to the moral standards of my community;
• Do all in my power to dignify my vocation and to promote the highest ethical standards in my chosen vocation;
• Be fair to my employer, employees, associates, competitors, customers, the public and all those with whom I have a business or professional relationship;
• Recognize the honor and respect due to all occupations which are useful to society;
• Offer my vocational talents: to provide opportunities for young people, to work for the relief of the special needs of others, and to improve the quality of life in my community;
• Adhere to honesty in my advertising and in all representations to the public concerning my business or profession;
• Neither seek from nor grant to a fellow Rotarian a privilege or advantage not normally accorded others in a business or professional relationship