Rotary International was founded on February 23, 1905 in Chicago, Illinois as the world's first service club. It is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian services, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. In 2005, approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belonged to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. The Vermilion Rotary Club was chartered on October 31, 1928, and Rotary Park marked the centennial of Rotary International through contributions from Rotarian Lester H. Kishman, the city of Vermilion, and members of the Vermilion Rotary Club.