Jason Blankenship, age 14, of Birmingham, Ala., for his question:

WHEN WAS ROTARY INTERNATIONAL STARTED?

Rotary International is a worldwide association. It supervises member clubs and works for the advancement of Rotary throughout the world. Members take part in community welfare, fostering good citizenship, promoting high business and professional standards, improve rural urban understanding and advance international peace, understanding and good will.

A lawyer named Paul P. Harris organized the first Rotary Club in Chicago in 1905. It was named Rotary because members met in rotation at their places of business.

Today there are more than 17,000 clubs in about 150 countries. Membership is near the million mark.

Each year, Rotary International gives grants to more than 600 young people, making it possible for them to study in other countries.