The Monday and Friday Rotary Clubs in Paris have merged into one club to be known as the Rotary Club of Paris United, which will meet on Mondays.
Rotary International is a service organization committed to local and international community needs. With its motto of, “Service Above Self,” it continues to be an esteemed organization where professionals with diverse backgrounds can exhange ideas and form meaningful relationships.
Locally, the Rotary Club of Paris began in 1916 and throughout its vibrant history has met on Fridays. In the 1970’s, in an attempt to accommodate a growing number of Rotarians, the Rotary Club of Greater Paris was formed, and met on Mondays.
Both clubs have a rich history of serving local and international communities.
One of the Rotary’s most known endeavors is to eradicate polio worldwide. Beginning in 1979 with a project to immunize 6 million children in the Philippines, Rotary has nearly completed that goal. By 2012, only three countries remain polio-endemic, which has decreased from 125 countries in 1988.
The Monday and Friday Clubs began meeting several months ago to discuss differences and commonalities and with the sentiment of serving Paris and Lamar county more fully, eventually decided to unite both clubs. Both clubs together are now known officially as Rotary Club of Paris United. The club is keeping the same charter date and number of the original 1916 club.
Presently, the Rotary Club of Paris United continues all service projects from both groups including dental screenings, where dentists travel to area schools and provide needed free sealants to every second grader in Lamar county at no cost. Other services include a dictionary project that provides dictionaries to elementary students throughout the county.
The Rotary Club of Paris United will continue to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to service by also providing gifts for the Salvation Army, rotary scholarships to Paris Junior College, as well as sponsoring an annual youth leadership academy.
The 31st of December will be the official meeting of the club as Rotary Club of Paris United. The club now meets on Mondays at the Paris Junior College Ballroom.