About Rotary International
Rotary District 3206 was officially born on July 1, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the Rotary movement in South India. Previously part of Rotary District 3201, which encompassed Coimbatore and the southern region of Kerala, the new district emerged through a thoughtful reorganization aimed at enhancing focus, leadership, and impact.
Rotary District 3206 now proudly includes the regions of:
Coimbatore Zone – 52 vibrant clubs, Palakkad Zone – 20 dynamic clubs, Totaling 72 clubs united in the spirit of “Service Above Self”. The historic moment of leadership transition took place on July 5, 2025, at SNR Auditorium, Coimbatore, where Rtn. Chella K. Ragavendran was formally installed as the first District Governor of RID 3206.This reorganization paves the way for stronger regional collaboration, deeper community impact, and greater opportunities for Rotary growth in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Rotary's Founder
Rotary started with the vision of one man
Paul Harris
After setting up his law practice in Chicago, Harris gathered several business associates to discuss the idea of forming an organization for local professionals. He envisioned a place where professionals of diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. On 23 February 1905, Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey gathered at Loehr’s office in Room 711 of the Unity Building in downtown Chicago. This was the first Rotary club meeting.
In February 1907, Harris was elected the third president of the Rotary Club of Chicago, a position he held until the fall of 1908. Toward the end of his club presidency, Harris worked to expand Rotary beyond Chicago. Some club members resisted, not wanting to take on the additional financial burden. But Harris persisted and by 1910 Rotary had expanded to several other major U.S. cities.
Paul Harris Society
The Paul Harris Society recognizes Rotary members and friends of The Rotary Foundation who elect to contribute $1,000 or more each year to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus Fund, or approved global grants.The purpose of the Paul Harris Society is to honor and thank individuals for their generous, ongoing support of The Rotary Foundation.Rotary districts often honor new members of the Paul Harris Society by presenting them with a certificate and chevron at a district or club event.
RI President 2025-2026
Francesco Arezzo, a member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. Arezzo will become president on 1 July
Arezzo is an orthodontist in private practice. He is active internationally as a member of the Italian, European, and American orthodontics associations. He is vice president of the National Association of Italian Dentists for the province of Ragusa and was the founder and head for seven years of the delegation for Ragusa of the National Trust for Italy. He is a Knight of Honor and Devotion in Obedience within the Sovereign Order of Malta.
A Rotary member for more than 30 years, Arezzo has served as vice chair of the Joint Strategic Planning Committee and as RI director, learning facilitator, and as district conference presidential representative.
Arezzo is a Major Donor and Benefactor of The Rotary Foundation. He is married to Anna Maria Criscione, an entrepreneur in the tourism field. They have two children.
