Rotary on Stamps Celebrated at the Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo

Exploring the connection between Rotary service, international fellowship and topical stamp collecting

The cover of Adventures in Topical Collecting

At the Boston 2026 World Stamp Expo a new ATA Handbook, Adventures in Topical Collecting, was released with a Show Signing Book Launch. This is the largest stamp collecting show in North America which is held every 10 years.

As Rotary on Stamps, one of the first Fellowship Groups of Rotary International, sponsored this book, we were given two pages to explain about Rotary and Rotary on Stamps. I chose to explain the link between Rotary Service and why countries around the world issue stamps to honor our work.

The handbook demonstrates how stamp collecting can preserve history, celebrate service and introduce new audiences to Rotary’s global impact.

How Did It Evolve from a Study Group into an Official Rotary Fellowship?

Rotary on Stamps and Rotary Fellowship History

A special banquet of “Rotary Philatelists” was held June 27, 1920 at the Yale Club in New York City as part of the Rotary International Convention, with the menu printed on the back of a large Newspaper and Periodicals stamp. Other gatherings through the years culminated in the American Topical Association starting a Study Unit in 1955 to coincide with Rotary’s 50th Anniversary.

The 1920 Rotary Philatelists dinner menu

The Growth of Rotary Fellowships

The push to admit Fellowships as being officially recognized by Rotary International included many of our RoS Members, plus other supporters of the idea. In 1928 Rotarians with a shared interest in the language “Esperanto” joined together and in 1947, a group of Rotarian boating enthusiasts calling themselves “the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians” began flying the Rotary flag from their crafts.

The Idea had other supporters including people like William White. He was the Associate Editor of The Rotarian magazine and published a large Rotary Stamp spread which appeared in the February 1971 edition of The Rotarian. Longtime stamp collector PRID Cliff Dochterman also pushed the idea at Evanston. Cliff became RI President in 1992-93.

Official Recognition in 1972

At the 63rd International Convention in Houston, Texas June 11-15, 1972, after years of lobbying by RoS and several other established Fellowship Groups, a vote finally approved “Rotary World Fellowship Activities” and we were recognized officially by Rotary. R.I. Pamphlet #729 established the criteria for participation and RoS humbly (and proudly) took some of the credit for the idea.

Sharing the Joy of Collecting

As a Convention Service, RoS arranges annually for a “Mixture Pickin’ Table” where hundreds of thousands of stamps supplied by RoS members, clubs and the Secretariat offices are made available to conventioneers (young and old) to “help themselves”. RoS members volunteer to spend time at the Booth at these International Conventions and talk stamps with all interested collectors.

Discover Rotary on Stamps

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Fellowship and explore the world of Rotary philately.

Rotary Fellowships are an important part of Rotary International, offering members unique opportunities to connect, learn, and serve. By joining a fellowship, Rotary members can pursue their passions, work on meaningful projects, and build international friendships. These fellowships promote service, professional development, and global understanding, making them an essential part of the Rotary experience. Whether through professional collaborations or shared hobbies, Rotary Fellowships enrich members’ lives and positively impact communities worldwide.

Rotary International