Did you ever wonder how the tradition of the Rotary Bell began?

In 1922, U.S. Rotarians organized a contest to see which club could most increase their meeting attendance.

The challenge was that the losing clubs would join in giving the winning club a prize. The Rotary Club of New York City was declared the winner and awarded as a prize, a bell from a popular patrol boat the HMS “Victory”.

Since then, we ring the bell to represent  order, discipline and the time to guide us through the weekly meetings. The bell informs us of the beginning of the meeting at which time we salute the US flag. The sounding of the bell concludes meetings.

As we guide ourselves through unchartered waters, may the ringing of the bell provide you a message of direction and hope.