Rotary Club Torino

Rotary Club Torino is a local service club based in Turin, Italy, and a member of Rotary International, the global service organization founded in Chicago in 1905. The club was established on 14 October 1924 by a group of prominent local figures: Prof. Camillo Benevolo, Eng. Gian Giacomo Ponti, Major Giovanni Bettica, Dr. Attilio Orecchia, and Dr. Lorenzo Bertolini. It operates under the Rotary motto 'Service Above Self' and brings together professionals and community leaders to carry out charitable and civic projects. The club is part of Rotary International, which today comprises over 1.2 million members worldwide who volunteer their time and talent. Rotary Club Torino engages in a wide range of service activities, documented on its website through annual service reports dating back to the 2012-2013 Rotary year. These services reflect the club's ongoing commitment to local and international humanitarian causes, education, health, and community development. The club has celebrated significant anniversaries, including its 80th anniversary in 2004 and its 100th anniversary in 2024. Commemorative events have featured addresses by notable members, such as Prof. Gian Savino Pene Vidari for the 80th anniversary and a preface by Avv. Claudio Piacentini for the 100th anniversary volume. The club maintains an active presence in Turin, with its headquarters at Via Mercantini, 5, and provides a structured organization including a board, past presidents, and past governors. It also supports Rotaract, the Rotary-sponsored service club for young adults. As a local chapter, Rotary Club Torino does not operate for profit and is not a commercial enterprise; it is a nonprofit association affiliated with Rotary International. Its activities are funded through member contributions and fundraising, and its impact is primarily felt in the Turin community and through Rotary's global network.

Rotary Club Torino was founded on 14 October 1924 in Turin, Italy, by Prof. Camillo Benevolo, Eng. Gian Giacomo Ponti, Major Giovanni Bettica, Dr. Attilio Orecchia, and Dr. Lorenzo Bertolini. The club was established as a local chapter of Rotary International, which had been founded in Chicago in 1905 and was expanding globally. The founding group consisted of prominent professionals and community leaders who sought to bring Rotary's ideals of service and fellowship to Turin. In its early years, the club focused on building membership and initiating service projects that addressed local needs. Over the decades, it became a stable institution in Turin's civic life, attracting members from various professional backgrounds. The club's activities were documented through regular meetings and service reports, which are archived on its website. A major milestone was the celebration of the club's 80th anniversary on 14 October 2004. A commemorative meeting was held, featuring an address by Prof. Gian Savino Pene Vidari, which reflected on the club's history and achievements. This event underscored the club's enduring presence and its role in the community. In 2024, the club marked its 100th anniversary. A commemorative volume was published, with a preface written by Avv. Claudio Piacentini. The centennial celebration highlighted the club's century-long commitment to service and its evolution within the broader Rotary movement. Throughout its history, Rotary Club Torino has maintained its affiliation with Rotary International and has participated in global Rotary initiatives, while also addressing local needs through its service programs. The club continues to operate from its headquarters at Via Mercantini, 5 in Turin, and remains active in service, fellowship, and community engagement. It supports Rotaract, the Rotary program for young adults, and maintains links with other Rotary clubs and Rotarians.

• 2024

  100th anniversary celebrated; commemorative volume published with preface by Avv. Claudio Piacentini.

• 2004

  80th anniversary celebrated on 14 October with an address by Prof. Gian Savino Pene Vidari.

• 1924

  Rotary Club Torino founded on 14 October by Camillo Benevolo, Gian Giacomo Ponti, Giovanni Bettica, Attilio Orecchia, and Lorenzo Bertolini.

Nonprofit service club affiliated with Rotary International, focused on community service and humanitarian projects in Turin.

1. 1Rotary Club Torino – Homerotary.torino.it
2. 2Rotary Club Torino – Servicesrotary.torino.it
3. 3Wikidata: Rotary Club Torinowikidata.org