Rotary in Canada

Under Northern Lights

Rotary International through the Council on legislation meeting in Caracas Venezuela recognized and established the present 34 Zones throughout the Rotary world. Canada is now included in Zone 24 as a result of the rezoning exercise that took place in 2008 and is now constitutionally required to participate in a re-Zoning exercise every 8 years.

Additional countries included in the Zone are Russia, United States (Alaska, Washington, Michigan and New York) and the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon off Canada’s east coast.PRID Curly Galbraith, honorary chairperson of the editorial board which published the 2005 Centennial  "Under the Northern lights" -  a history of Zone 2 (later Zone 22 and now Zone 24), stated that: "over the years, members of the Zone played leadership roles in Rotary from its earliest days.

It was a Canadian Rotarian who spread the spirit of Rotary and established and chartered many Rotary clubs in different parts of the world. Zone 24 has given generously to the polio plus campaign and has established a unique partnership with government through the Canadian Rotary Collaboration for International Development (CRCID).

A Rotarian from Halifax is credited with giving us the 4^th Object of Rotary. The Zone through its many clubs has changed the face of local communities and has improved the lives of innumerable men, women and children in needy countries around the world". In the same publication, PRID John Eberhard states: "--- the Zone comprises about two thirds of the Northern circumpolar region of the world, a large portion of it frozen for much of the year but all of it warmed by the splendour and the mystery of the Northern Lights and the vitality of its many clubs."

There were 10 Rotary clubs in Canada chartered prior to the creation of numbered districts. These included Winnipeg (1910); Toronto (1912); Halifax, Hamilton, Montréal, Vancouver, and Victoria (all 1913); Calgary in St. John (1914 host of disease and London (1915). From 1915 to 1919, the composition of the Canadian districts included Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (District 16); Québec and Ontario (District 17); District 18 included all of Western Canada except British Columbia which became District 15 in 1918.

In due course, the whole of Canada became Zone 2. As Rotary expanded in Canada, many changes were made to boundaries and to the numerical designation of districts in Zone 2. Many Rotarians involved in the districts rendered very special and valuable service to Rotary in Canada in the early years, serving as Presidents, District Governors, Directors of Rotary International and as members of international committees which included a special R I Board Advisory Committee on Canada.

A recent edition of "Rotary Canada" (July 2010), a supplement to the Rotarian, proclaims 733 Rotary clubs in Canada. At the time of re-Zoning, the number of clubs in Zone 24 was 883. Zone 22 consisted of 23 districts, nine of which were international and prior to 2008 found themselves in two Zones. Zone 24 has been reduced to 16 districts all of which are wholly located within the Zone. At the time of Re-Zoning, there were 35,193 Rotarians in Zone 24 (based on December 2006 membership statistics).

In 1979, the Zone institute passed a resolution requesting the RI director to: 1)    form a continuing Institute committee and2)    establish an all Canadian Council to act as an advisory group for the director on matters pertaining to the well-being of Rotary in Canada and for the promotion of CIDA sponsored programs With rezoning in 2008, the first of these resolutions has been abandoned in favour of a temporary twinning arrangement with one of the five Zones contiguous to former Zone 22.

Prior to this time, Zone 22 was "matched" with South Korea in that its respective directors alternated two year terms on the RI Board of Directors. This twinning arrangement did not include the production of a joint directory nor joint institutes. It is noted in the publication "Rotary and Canada, 75 Years of Service above Self" produced in 1985 that: "during the two years that Canadian clubs of Zone 2 are not represented on the board of Rotary International, Canadian clubs requiring to make representation to the board of Rotary does so through the General Secretary of RI".

During that hiatus period, the immediate past director has traditionally convened the Institute, chaired the Board of CRCID and produced the Zone Directory. Zone 24 is now a proud twin with Zone 32 for the purposes of hosting a zone institute in 2010 and participating in this joint Zone directory.

The Institute has been conducted in London Ontario on three occasions (including November 2010) since becoming a "Canadian" Zone. There have been seven international conventions held in what is now known as Zone 24.

Provided by RID 03-05 John Eberhard, Canada (RGHF zone 24 board member)

www.rghfhome.org/first100/historians/eberhard.htm

Posted 5 July 2010 by Jack  M. B. Selway

Northern Lights Zone History

INTRODUCTION - WHERE PATHS CROSS

In the introduction of his historic "A Century of Service - The Story of Rotary International", author David Forward remarks that "even the mightiest of rivers have humble beginnings. They start as tiny springs or a melting snowdrop". Small tributaries join strength to strength to form branches of the main stream. So too with Rotary. Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1905, Rotary’s international expansion plans began in the city of Winnipeg, Canada in 1910.

Rotary was born, one hundred years ago. Who could have imagined that its growth and reach would cover 166 countries - 529 Districts and many un-districted territories, as nearly 32,000 clubs flow together in the many rivulets which join to make a mighty force for good around the world - Rotary International?

The Family of Rotary consists of over 1.2 million Rotarians, 175,000 Rotaractors, 218,000 Interactors and 125,000 Community Corps members. The spouses and "partners in service" more than double this to make the Rotary River of service, a reservoir of altruism!

When Rotary came to Canada in 1910, it found fertile ground. The Rotary Club of Winnipeg was formed when there were only 15 clubs in the United States. Rotary spread quickly. By the time my club (The Rotary Club of London) was formed in 1915, there were a total 174 clubs "chartered". Districts did not exist at the time but it was soon obvious to the early leadership of Rotary that a formal structure was required to ensure consistent application of the programs of Rotary. The good governance which has provided for Rotary’s growth and it’s international credibility ranks it among the best known of the international non-governmental organizations. A governance model which includes Clubs, District, Zones, and the RI Board of Directors has proven to be a useful division for administrative purposes.

One of the 34 arteries - or Zones - of the river of Rotary is that which comprise about two thirds of the northern circumpolar region of the earth. Much of it is frozen for much of the year - all of it is warmed by the splendor and the mystery of the Northern Lights. This is the Rotary world’s largest zone. It covers 16.5 time zones. It consists of clubs from 23 Rotary Districts in four countries: Russia, (east of the Ural Mountains), the whole of the State of Alaska, Canada and the French Islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon. Fourteen are international districts with clubs in more than one country. Five Zones overlap along the international border of the continental United States and Canada with those international district clubs in Canada being in Zone 24.

Additions to the tiny streams continue to exert volumes of fellowship to the growing river of service. Indeed, as new clubs were chartered in the early morning hours of July 1, 2004,  Zone 24 "Centennial Clubs" were added to the fluid mix of men and women who make up the Family of Rotary in Zone 24. Indeed, our world wide service organization is expected to grow this year by adding a new club every 12 hours of every day. This book tells the story of how each of these small streams in our region of the world has contributed to the adventure in service on the mighty Rotary River.

As a past RI Director once remarked, Rotary is simply "a philosophy that seeks to reconcile the need to provide for oneself with a constant obligation to share what one has with another". Past President Jonathan Majiyagbe describes this need as an impulse to reach out and lend a hand to those in need.

In 1947, the "Rotarian" eulogized Rotary’s founder by say, in part: "Paul Harris never claimed to have founded a new philosophy; he referred to the spirit of Rotary as an ancient principle of ethics. What he did was to teach men of all nations and of all races to join together in practicing and applying it.

It is instructive to glance back at our history. Paul Harris started Rotary for fun, fellowship and "boostering" but it was not long before a higher purpose emerged - the ideal of service was born and enshrined in the early members. The Object of Rotary has been the framework within which countless programs and projects have brought men and women together in fellowship with the idea of "doing good in the world". Rotary crosses a boundary in Zone 24 which was, not long ago, protecting both sides in cold war. Now in the far northwest of our Zone, during this centennial year, a Russian Governor administers and cares for the needs of clubs in Alaska and the Yukon Territories. The longest undefended border in the world between Canada and the United States was traversed in the early days by a bridge literally built by Rotarians to foster trade, communication and friendly relations between peoples of two lands. Canada’s fragile balance between languages and cultures happily boast the French Islands on the east coast  as part of our Rotary Family in Zone 24.  

So, in this year, 2004-2005, as we "Celebrate Rotary", it is timely to reflect upon the service and the fellowship that Rotarians in the clubs of Zone 24 have enjoyed over the past 95years: perhaps, a prologue to our own centennial celebrations which will take place when the Rotary International convention comes to Montreal in 2010.

Each club has a story to tell. It is hoped that this volume will stimulate clubs to build upon their own unique written histories. By doing so, as they come of age, the story of the committed Rotarians and Rotary club projects will not be lost in discarded files and forgotten local newspapers. These important club and district collections become a living statement of the value of the contributions made by each. They should endure, just as the greater volumes of our "Century of Service" add to the reservoir of our collective library containing the story of Rotary International.

Each of the men and women in the local clubs of each of the districts of the Zone have a story to tell. Why did they become Rotarians? How did they serve their club and their community? How did their Family of Rotary espouse a dream that led to happy friendships and meaningful service contributions in helping someone less fortunate? Each wears the well known Rotary wheel as a proud symbol of membership in his or her club. Many have realized the secret of the pin which acts like a millwheel on the busy stream of service. It turns and produces friends and ideas. Our symbol is like the passport which provides entry into circles of trade and government. It is an entry card into state dinners and homes of thousands of Rotarians worldwide who regard it as a statement of trustworthiness and integrity. It creates a common bond which sets Rotarians apart in a unique international service organization whose essence is embodied in the motto: Service Above Self.

The Rotary pin is indeed a passport to service. The 30, 201 Rotarians in the 905 Clubs of Zone 24 reach out to help young people and the elderly. They reach beyond community borders to those less fortunate. Because they are integral members of the business and professional communities in which they work and live, they bring their collective strengths to solve community problems. The local Rotary club is where service and friendship meet. Rotarians know how to get the job done! Through the programs of Rotary International, the clubs of the Zone participate in a much larger body of interest. By developing acquaintance with like minded Rotarians, most of whom will never meet - in the absence of a political or religious context - Rotarians find a meeting place for international service and fellowship initiatives - a precursor to the more profound grail of international understanding and peace.

Rotarians of our great Zone are grateful for the outstanding work done by the History Committee in compiling this compendium of service. It all came about quite innocently. During a quiet conversation with Past Rotary International Director, D. H. "Curly" Galbraith, I remarked on how valuable I found the book entitled: "Rotary in Canada - 75 Years of Service Above Self".  "Wouldn’t it be useful to update it?", I asked. His response was immediate and typically enthusiastic! And what better time to undertake such a task - during Rotary’s Centennial Celebrations!  We might have waited another 5 years. But so much has happened in the last 20 that this seemed the logical time to take on this monumental job. District and Zone boundaries have changed. The work of many advisory and multi-district activities has altered the course of the Rotary in Canada. The story of the widening of the Zone needed to be told.

The meandering steams of Rotary progress of clubs in Zone 24 seemed to cry out for definition. This was the right time. "Curly" readily agreed to be the honorary chairman for the project. His club-mate, Rt. Bob Junker agreed (with a small steering committee) to put a structure to the channels of Rotary service and in a Zone perspective. They have completed a task worthy of its lofty goals. At a brief meeting in February of 2003, four of us met in "Curly’s" comfortable Calgary home to plot out the timing, the scope and workload which, in typical Rotary fashion, was dubbed "doable"! And do it, they have! The many meetings and communications among members from across our vast territory have been at considerable sacrifice. It was recognized in the early days that this "history" was intended in no way to replicate the masterful job that Rotary International has done in reducing the broad strokes of Rotary’s growth and service to its centenary publication. Indeed, the focus here is on the accomplishments at the club and district level as told by District History Committees.  So, to all of the many people involved in telling the story of Rotary in Zone, 22 - thank you, for a job well done!   

I extend to each of the committee members, a big thank you and congratulations for a job well done. This is an important addition to the library of Rotary success stories. It will prove to be a good read and a useful tool for many years to come.

ROTARY  ZONE  24  CENTENNIAL  HISTORY  PROJECT

Convenor: RID John Eberhard, 2003-05 

 CORE COMMITTEE  ZONE 24 DISTRICT

 Hon. Chair "Curly" Galbraith  HISTORY COMMITTEES

Co-Chairs:     

PDG Monty Audenart  - Bob Junker

5010 - RTN Jerry Near  Gordon Anderson

5020 - PDG  Jack McAuley PDG Jim Angus

5040 -  PDG Dave Kirk Don Campbell

5050 -  Rtn. Bob Shumka Jim Denis

5060 -  PDG  Bill Fennell PDG Bill Gillott

5080 -  PDG Jim  Chiu    Dr.Marmie Hess

5360 - PDG  Dale Merchant Doug Lee - Rec. Sec.

5370 - PDG  Al  MacLean  Hon. Ken Moore

5550 -  RTN George Derwin Dr. Peter Penner

5580 -  ADG  J. Terry Moore PDG Fred  Sorrell

6290  -  PDG Bruce Dewhirst*  PDG Ted Valentine

6330 -  PDG  Jim  Scott Des De Freitas - Treasurer

6380 -  PDG Terry Youlton 

6400  -  PDG Murray Elder

7010 - PDG  Jim  Angus

7040 - RTN. John  Kersley

7080 -  PDG Paul Truex

7090 -  PDG John  Frid

7790 - PDG Jean-Hugues Laflamme

7810 -  PDG Don  Richards

7820 -  DGN Duncan Conrad

7850 - PRID Al  Malouin *DGEDave Seabrook

Many roads meet here, in this book and in each of us.  

How far have you traveled? Some of you have come but a few kilometers, others have been traveling all their lives. Some of you have been coming to this well for years, others have more recently stumbled through the door of Rotary service, thirsty for acceptance and hungry for the fellowship which Rotary offers. 

From wherever you have come - however far you have traveled, you come

bearing your gifts of service to those less fortunate. Most of us have had the experience of hiking in the mountains or driving along unfamiliar roadways and arriving at vistas which we could see miles ahead and we wonder what lies beyond these new horizons. 

For me, paddling in the uncharted waters of friendship - focused on the rapids ahead, the portages, campfires and sing songs, the solitudes of an early morning fog-covered waterway - always mindful that around the next bend lies another stunning landscape. For Fran, my Rotary partner, and me, this metaphor depicts the challenge and opportunities as we continue to enjoy the interaction with Rotarians throughout our vast Zone.  

Each of us will be known forever by the tracks we leave. Rotarians will be remembered for having shared the Rotary spirit with others! We will be measured in our effectiveness on how well we worked in friendship with our fellow Rotarians  

Rotarians will leave a legacy in good works and in helping others 

The strength of Rotary lies in the talents and opinions and ideas of over 1.2 million men and women. Technology now provides us the convenience of doing so inexpensively and in a timely way. The zone will continue strive to uphold the ideas and ideals of Rotary and represent where appropriate the interest of the Rotarians, clubs and districts of Zone 24 - Our Rotary Family. This book will keep us mindful of that duty and respectful of those who have gone before. 

We cannot do everything but as individuals, each of us can do something.  

So it is that we gather at the river of service. We may not look like a river or you may not

think of Rotary as a water-course but there is a stream that runs through us and through this book, this place and into the streets. The river of Rotary runs out into the city and into the world: a river which feeds the hungry, heals the blind, allows people to read and write and tends to the victims of polio. It is sometimes a babbling brook bubbling up here and there in little random acts of kindness; sometimes a creek of concern affirming, encouraging, refreshing; sometimes a flood tide of righteous indignation that sweeps us out of our lethargy and indifference; sometimes a meandering stream full of such grace and affection that we find ourselves at peace with ourselves and our world; sometimes a pool into which we immerse ourselves personally or communally and a voice declares: "Go Forth and Sow the Seeds of Love" so that all may be encouraged to "Lend a Hand" as we:

"Celebrate Rotary"!

Shall we gather at the river? Have a good read! 

John Eberhard

Rotary International Director (2003-2005)

Zone 24

RGHF board member for Zone 24

This work would not have been completed without thanking the late

PDG James Angus for his tireless service.

www.rghfhome.org/first100/historians/angus.htm