THE HISTORY OF DISTRICT 2750, MICRONESIA

A Part of Our History of Rotary in Australasia Pacific

Prepared by the district and not verified by Rotary Global History

The Rotary year 1972-73 was significant in that after 33 years being non-districted, the Rotary Clubs of Guam and Tumon Bay of Guam and Saipan of Northern Marianas, became a part of District 358.

In his letter of 28 March 1973 to President Jerry of the Rotary Club of Guam, Governor-Nominee Takeo Sugitani of District 358, advised that at the District Convention in Tokyo, a resolution was passed welcoming our three clubs from the Marianas into Rotary International District 358, and that the cheers of the 2,000 members who attended the Convention indicated the warm feelings of welcome.

Notwithstanding the great geographic distance and the language barrier, Governor Sugitani, with his warm and sanguine approval as a great Rotarian and leader, expressed the desire for friendship and brotherhood in the spirit of ideals of Rotary, which we genuinely appreciated.

At the Board meeting on 17 April 1973, Rtn. "Mac" McAlister was appointed as the first Group II representative to District 358 by District Governor Suzuki.

After 34 years of being non-districted, the Rotarians in Guam were like mustangs and did not take kindly to being corralled, and the decision by Rotary International was met with mixed emotions.

However, with PP George's experience as a member of the Rotary Club of Hawaii, he was able to meet the challenge and the transition was accomplished with mutual benefit to all concerned.

Our Rotary Club of Guam operated as an independent club without a district until only six years ago.
In 1972 the Guam and Saipan clubs became a part of District 358 which included Tokyo and Okinawa.

We represent a unique District. International relations automatically becomes a way of life for our clubs when we work together.

By 1978, there were 83 clubs in the entire district, still including the 3 clubs in Guam and Saipan and the remainder in Japan including clubs in Okinawa and a part of Tokyo.

In later years, District 358 ceased to exist and two new district numbered appeared.

Clubs centred around Tokyo and Okinawa were reallocated as District 2580.

Simultaneously,  the Marianas and Micronesia generally were given their own District number 2750 covering the entire northern Pacific basin.