In 1952-53, Henry J. “Bru” Brunnier of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, California, USA, was the 42nd President of Rotary International. His Rotary vision: Applying the principle of gradualness as a powerful force for good.

Featured Quotes From

Past Rotary International Presidents

Thanks to Past Rotary International Director Dan Mooers for this material

“The things that are worthwhile take time, and it is not the "’I's" of the world but the "We’s" who achieve them.” — Eventually…Gradually…, THE ROTARIAN, July 1952

In a letter to Past RI Director Joseph A. Caulder, dated April 30, 1954, Past President Brunnier recalled his year as RI President. “Perhaps the one thing that stands out above others”, Bru wrote, “is that, during my year as President, Ann and I had the opportunity to visit so many clubs in various parts of the world, which I am sure created a closer relationship between individual clubs and Rotary International.”

When Past President “Bru” refers to “Ann”, he is, of course, referring to his wife. Ann Brunnier also was the first “Rotary Ann,” a term of endearment used to refer to a wife of a Rotarian beginning in 1914 and continuing for many, many years thereafter (and in some parts of the Rotary world, even today). You can read about how the term “Rotary Ann” came about by going to a re-print of a 1951 article from "The Rotarian", found on the Joseph A. Caulder Collection web site. There you also will find more in depth information about the first fifty Rotary International Presidents and information about other early Rotarians who built this organization.

You also can read about RI Presidents and Rotary’s first 100 years in David Forward’s Centennial history of Rotary - “A Century of Service - The Story of Rotary International.” Not only is this “official history” interesting and enlightening for Rotarians, but it really should find its way into every library in every Rotary city and town around the world. Why not,  a Centennial Project, have your Rotary club purchase this book for each and every school and public library in your community and, with a proper presentation, gift the books to the libraries in recognition of Rotary’s Centennial? “A Century of Service - The Story of Rotary International” can be purchased through the Rotary web site, or look in all current issues of The Rotarian or official regional magazines for order information.

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