Program: Dale Bailey, The Paul Harris Story

Dale Bailey is the Founder of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) in 1972. Mr. Bailey spoke about the background history and life of Paul Harris that has become an integral part of Rotary all over the world ( 6000 clubs strong).

Paul and his brother were raised by their grandparents in Vermont, where they learned a strong work ethic, and frugality. Even though the young Paul Harris was a non-conformist, continually having to leave school for behavioral problems, including college, Mr. Harris finally managed to graduate from law school, his grandfather’s dream for him. Paul travelled extensively around the USA, working several jobs, from a newspaper reporter to an actor, cowboy, teacher, fruit picker, at a Florida marble company, crew member on a cattle ship to London, until he finally settled down in Chicago. There, he put his law degree to work and set up a practice. His focus was to do something to make a difference in the community and found others, who were of like mind, starting Rotary as a service club in 1905.

His motto was to Give of Yourself and Service Above Self, which continues today. In his memory, the Rotary Foundation for the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was started 1/27/1947.