About Our Club

Rotary began in Media in 1928. There was nothing particularly outstanding about its birth. As a matter of fact, few persons in the borough had ever heard about Rotary or what it was designed to be. Media had little reason to pay attention to faraway places such as Japan, Australia, China, Africa, New Zealand, England, Italy, France and the Philippines. These were foreign countries where Rotary Clubs were being organized. Media was among the newly chartered clubs and it was chartered as an international organization.

The Club owes its birth to John Farish, owner of the Media News Agency. In 1928 Farish brought the idea of Rotary to Media from Penn’s Grove, New Jersey, where he had been an active member. Few persons in the borough had ever heard about Rotary or what it was designed to be and the first several years were devoted to learning the purpose of Rotary International. Polio ran rampant in the country at the time and the very first project of The Rotary Club of Media was to work with children crippled with the disease. The early years were not without its trials and tribulations, the Great Depression had hit the community and dollars were scarce. Club members were unable to meet their obligations and the Club nearly went out of business. But, the Club did survive and by 1935 was a well organized, active club serving the community.
The same principles that guided Rotary in 1928 continue to guide the Club to this day. The Club is a member of District 7450 in Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA.