Welcome to Rotary in Western Austria - District 1920

Thomas Gredler

Rotary was founded as the world's first service club by Paul Harris in Chicago in 1905. Rotary's great success and example influenced the founding of other service clubs such as Kiwanis (1915), Lions (1917), Round Table (1927) and others. Today, Rotary has approximately 1.25 million members in over 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries.

In Austria, Rotarians are organized in the 1920 and 1910 districts, which are headed by a governor. District 1920 covers the Austrian states of Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tyrol and Vorarlberg with about 4,100 members in a total of 71 Rotary Clubs, 12 Rotaract Clubs and 5 Interact Clubs.

The Rotary District 1920 includes Vorarlberg, Tyrol, Salzburg and Upper Austria. Photo: AleXXw

Rotary's motto is: "Service Above Self". In keeping with this spirit of service, Rotary members engage in the "5 Avenues of Service" to be there for others and lead with goodwill and friendship:

• Club service
• Vocational service
• Community service
• Youth service
• International

Rotary meetings are the best opportunity for friendship and implementation of sustainable projects. Photo: RI

In this sense, Rotary clubs, Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation develop, promote and implement service projects around the world and in their local communities, regardless of political or religious orientation. This includes social projects, fundraising, charity events, support for aid programs, etc. The main areas of Rotary activity include:

• Fight against diseases
• Commitment to clean water and hygiene
• Protection for mothers and children
• Promoting education
• Economic development
• Promoting peace
• Protection of the environment
  

Rotary's charitable activities are carried out internationally, regionally and locally. Photo: RI

One of Rotary's best-known and most successful projects is the polio campaign to eradicate polio. Since 1979, the famous oral vaccinations carried out worldwide have led to a 99.99 percent decrease in infections. It is estimated that over 2.5 billion children have been protected from the disease, up to 10 million volunteers have contributed countless hours, and Rotary alone has contributed $2.1 billion.

Today the campaign is carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the US Department of Health (CDC) and national departments of health, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rotary is leading the fight against polio to end the second plague in world history once and for all. Photo: RI

The Rotary Youth Exchange, a program that has been opening up unique perspectives for young people since 1929, is also particularly important. Every year, around 10,000 secondary education students spend a certain period of time in another country to deepen and improve mutual understanding between nations through cultural exchange and the acquisition of language skills.

Together with our friends from Rotaract, the former Rotary youth organization since 1968 and current Rotary partner, and Interact, which has been offering young people between the ages of 12 and 18 new opportunities since 1962, we are developing solutions for a better world.

Rotaract and Interact are committed to a world of friendship and service. Photo: Private

Rotary was founded in Austria in 1925 as District 73, which at that time also included Germany, and existed until 1938. The first Rotary Club in Austria was the Rotary Club of Vienna in 1925, followed by the Rotary Club of Salzburg in 1926 and the Rotary Club of Graz in 1927. During During the Second World War there was officially no Rotary in Austria, but contacts were maintained secretly.

From 1951, Rotary in Austria was reorganized, from 1956 as District 99, from 1957 as District 181, from 1977 as District 191. In 1980/81 our District 192 was created, which from then on existed independently alongside District 191. In 1991, both districts were renamed District 1910 and District 1920. From 1991 to 1999, what was then Czechoslovakia was part of our District 1920.

In 2020/21 we celebrated our 40th anniversary as our own district, 30 of which were with our current name.

The first and so far only Rotary Convention in Austria. Photo: WB

Being a Rotarian means implementing high ethical principles in professional, public and private life. Friendship and service are the core values.

Anyone who wears the Rotary badge proves to be a person you can trust and whom you can turn to at any time.

Join us on our journey: Join Leaders – Exchange Ideas – Take Action.

The district team works together to achieve Rotary's goals. Photo: private