On February 23, Rotary International celebrated its 111th birthday.  It was on February 23, 1905 that 4 friends met at the office Gustave Loehr in Chicago, IL.  The other three founders were Paul Harris, Sylvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey The next meeting of this new group was "rotated" to one of the other offices of the members.  After six meetings, the Chicago Rotary Club discontinued its practice of meeting in members’ offices and began to assemble in various restaurants and hotels. For more of Rotary's history go to: Rotary Global History Fellowship
 
This February 23, RB Sunrise Rotary Club went dark at their usual meeting venue, the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. Instead six members volunteered their offices to host "Rotational" breakfasts.  The purpose of this move was to let those in attendance at each location get to learn about the others.  In a regular meeting, members don't really get to find out much about other member's businesses.  At a "Rotational" breakfast meeting, members tell what their business is and how they chose to be in that business. 
 
At each of the locations there was a maximum of eight members.  The groups were small enough that the relationships that are the reason Rotary is effective could be fostered. 
 
Rotational breakfasts have become a tradition of RB Sunrise Rotary.  Once a year, the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo closes for 2 weeks in the fall for annual maintenance of their facility and golf course.  Rather than go dark, RB Sunrise Rotary holds "Rotational" breakfasts.  This tradition began when the club moved its meetings to this location years ago.  Because the concept proved to be popular with members, the tradition was born. 
 
This year, for the first time, the idea was used to familiarize new members with a bit of the history of Rotary as well as to create the friendships within the club.  In fact, two of the sites for this celebration were hosted by our most recent new members.