Cliff Dochterman's professional life included 40 years in higher education administration - 20 years each at the University of California at Berkeley and at  the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. 

Most of us know him for his volunteer work for  Rotary international over the past 48 years.  He has served in almost every Rotary assignment in the world.  From club president in Berkeley, to District Governor, to Rotary International Director, RI. Vice President, Trustee of the Rotary Foundation and worldwide  President of Rotary International. He has chaired virtually every Rotary  planning committee in the last 25 years which set the direction for the organization.

It has been said that Cliff has spoken before more Rotary Clubs than anyone in the world.  He is the author of the booklet, "The ABCs of Rotary," which has been translated into more languages and sold more copies than any other Rotary publication.

During 1992-93, Cliff served as the President of Rotary International.  he selected the theme, "Real Happiness Is Helping Others." Cliff has been honored by the heads of state of dozens of countries for spreading good will and world understandidng.  He also served 6 years as a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, which culminated by serving as Chairman of the Foundation.  He was one of the pioneers of the PolioPlus program and served for 8 years on the International PolioPlus Committee. Cliff was chairman of Rotary's Centennial Opertions Committee which designed Rotary's 100th anniversary in 2005.