History of Rotary in Italy - The early years

Part of our section on the History of Rotary in Europe

To the first group, which already included some of the most noted men in the city, other good elements were gradually added. Regular weekly meetings were held and proper organization secured, so that on December 20th, 1923, with the intervention of special Commissioner F. W. Teele, the Rotary Club of Milan was formally inaugurated, thus adding Italy's name to the already long list of countries where Rotary existed.

Milan was most fitted to understand Rotary and to bring its message to the Nation. Its leading position in the financial, industrial and commercial life of the country, its frequents contacts with business circles abroad, the presence of a large and influential class of progressive and public spirited business men, made of this city the ideal ground for Rotary experience.
Very soon the meetings of the Milan Club were the object of interest and attention on the part of the press; the addresses given to the Club by some of the nation's leading business men were amply quoted, and a general interest was aroused in the country for Rotary and for its programs. As an outcome of this interest, small organizing groups were soon formed in other important cities, an in a few months were ready to be officially inaugurated. If 1923 had seen the inauguration of the one Club of Milan, 1924 brought with it the inauguration of sever other Clubs: Trieste, Genoa, Rome, Naples, Palermo and Venice. The largest cities in Italy were thus given the privilege of having a Rotary Club and the prominence of the men who accepted to preside these new Clubs and the high standard of membership soon secured Rotary a very high prestige in public opinion.
Also in 1924 the Rotary Club of Italy started the publication of their monthly magazine: "Il Rotary".

The following year, 1925, was a decisive one in the history of Rotary in Italy. Not only the number of the Clubs was substantially increased with the official inauguration of the Clubs of Florence, Leghorn, Bergamo, Parma and Cuneo, but also the Italian clubs were finally grouped in the new 46th. District, Mr. J. Henderson being elected to the office of Governor.
The benefits arising from the creation of a District were increased by the official recognition on the part of the Board of Directors of Rotary International of the Italian National Council, whose composition, functions and privileges were clearly defined and which became, with District Governor, the leading force of the Rotary movement in Italy. The District Treasurer was Federico Guasti, from year 1926 until year 1938.

Another important step was taken by the National Council in organizing a permanent District Office in Milan, and in electing a Secretary General to assist the Governor in his work and also to coordinate the activities of the Clubs. Rotarian Achille Bossi of Milan, was elected to this office.

President Everett Hill and Chesley Perry were given a vivid evidence of the progress accomplished, when they attend the first District Governor of the Italian Clubs held in Milan in April 1925.

A large number of delegates from the 10 Clubs already inaugurated and from the others then in course of organization took part in the Conference, which lasted two days and left a deep impression on all who attended it. This conference elected to the office of Governor for 1925-1926 Rotarian Giorgio Mylius whose able and active governorship was to give a further impulse to extension work.

In November 1925 the Italian Clubs took part with a large delegation in the Meeting of the Executives of European Continental Clubs which was held in Bruxelles. Among those who attended, we may mention, besides Giorgio Mylius and Achille Bossi, Felice Seghezza and Prince Piero Ginori Conti who later were to became Governors of the 46th District.

The following year was largely devoted to the proper organization of the existing clubs. Only two new clubs were inaugurated: those of Cremona and Piacenza; but the number of Rotarians steadily increased, and the frequent intercourse between the members of various clubs contributed materially to develop that spirit of national fellowship which is a typical feature of Rotary in Italy.

The District Conference of 1926 was again held in Milan on April 21, 22, 23 and by its success far surpassed the previous one. President Donald Adams and Past President Crawford Mac Cullough were present, and had an opportunity to address a large number of Rotarians who had come to Milan from all parts of Italy.

Piero Pirelli was elected by this Conference to succeed Giorgio Mylius, who closed his year of splendid work for Rotary as Governor, representing the 46th District at the Denver Convention.

In July 1926 the Board of Directors of Rotary International showed their appreciation of Italy's contribution to Rotary by electing Rotarian Felice Seghezza of Genoa, to the office of Director.

Piero Pirelli's governorship marked a year of important achievements. His character and broad experience of affairs exceptionally qualified him for the high office of Governor, and his ability in direction the activities of the District, together with his untiring diligence and unfailing courtesy, won for him the appreciation and affection of all the members and contributed in a large degree to consolidate the position of Rotary throughout the country.

Four clubs were inaugurated during Pirelli's governorship: the Club of Piacenza, already mentioned, and the Clubs of Bologna, Brescia and Como.
      

On January 1st 1927 the District begun to publish besides the magazine "Il Rotary" above referred to and whose circulation is limited to Rotarian

In February 1927 the District adopted the official Italian translation of the Constitution of the Rotary Club approved by the board of R.I. and the National Council approved a standard text of the Club's By Laws, which was uniformly adopted by all the Rotary Clubs of Italy.

At the same time other events came to show how Rotary stood in the country. H.R.H. the Duke of Aosta honoured Rotary by accepting the honorary membership of the R.C. of Naples, and at the banquet offered him by his Club made a notable speech showing his appreciation of Rotary and of its contribution to the progress of the nation. A few months later the two brothers of the Duke entered Rotary, the Duke of the Abruzzi becoming an honorary member of the R.C. Genoa, and the Count of Turin an honorary member of the R.C. of Florence.

In April 1927 the Crown Prince Umberto of Savoia most graciously accepted the nomination as Honorary Member of the R.C. of Cuneo, the little city at the foot of the Alps in whose district he was born, and which for centuries was one of the strongest bulwarks of the dynasty of Savoy.

The District Conference for 1927 was held in Leghorn (Livorno), in the early days of May, and the importance of its work and the large attendance proved how great a progress Rotary had made during the year.

It was a privilege for European Rotarians to have the 1927 Rotary Convention in Ostend. The Italian Clubs took full advantage of this opportunity. They were all represented, and the Italian delegation amounted to 61 members.

Director Seghezza had no sooner returned from an extensive trip visiting Rotary Clubs in America, when  he was informed of his election to the office of Governor of the 46th District for 1927-1928. After having presided for two years the R.C. of Genoa, and after one year intensive work as Director, Seghezza was surely entitled to some rest, and only his deep sense of duty could induce him to accept the nomination. 

On September 6th 1927 the Crown Prince was officially received at the R.C. of Cuneo, Governor Seghezza and Immediate Past Governor Pirelli being present together with the Presidents of all the Italian Clubs. A few days later, on September 19th the Executives Meeting of the Italian District was held in Como, under the presidency of President Sapp and with the intervention of Chesley Perry and Past President Frank Mulholland. The luncheon was honored by the presence of the Crown Prince who spent most of the time in lively conversation with President Sapp.

After the Como meeting, President Sapp and Chesley Perry went to Milan and then to Rome, where, together with Governor Seghezza, they were received in private audience by Mr. Mussolini. The official communication issued to the press by the Premier's Press Bureau contained the following interesting statement: "The Head of the Government very much appreciated the greetings addressed to him, and showing himself well acquainted with the object Rotary pursues by creating friendly intercourse and cooperation between the most prominent representatives of the various business and intellectual activities of the world, expressed his cordial satisfaction, reciprocating with his sentiments of good will".

On New Year's day 1928, Governator Seghezza announced in his message to the Italian Clubs that H.M. the King had deigned to accept honorary membership of the Club of Rome and to become Honorary Governor of the Italian District. This had been the greatest desire of Italian Rotarians, and the event was celebrated with enthusiastic manifestations in all of the Clubs.
The strong personality of the King, and his prominent influence in the history and progress of Italy are so well known that we hardly need to point out the value of such an high recognition. Few men in this time embody the Rotary ideals as Victor Emmanuel the Third.

On January  17th 1928 the King received in private audience Governor Felice Seghezza, Achille Bossi (Secretary General) and the officers of the Rome Rotary Club who expressed to H.M. the gratitude and appreciation of all Rotarians.

Extension work was actively resumed in the early months of the year. The Club of Messina was officially inaugurated, and the organization of other Clubs properly started.

The fourth District's Conference was held in Turin in May, and by its success far surpassed all the former ones.
The Conference was inaugurated by H.R.H. the Crown Prince at the presence of H.R.H. the Prince of Udine (also a Rotarian) and of all the civil and military authorities. The Prince was visibly pleased with the words of greetings addressed to him by Governor Seghezza and by Stanley Leverton on behalf of Rotary International, and followed with great interest an address given by a prominent writer, Rotarian Ugo Ojetti, on "Art, Science and Rotary".

The second meeting was presided by the Duke of Aosta. Some of Italy's leading men in business, literature and arts addressed the Conference, both on subjects of national interest and on subject strictly relating to Rotary, and the press gave very diffused accounts of the proceedings.

In June 1928 the Italian clubs attended the Minneapolis Convention with a delegation of 26 members. The Rotary Club of Brescia, with three delegates, won the Attendance Trophy.

The Turin Conference elected as Governor Prince Piero Ginori Conti, Senator of the Kingdom and former President of the Rotary Club of Florence, who took possession of his office on July 1st 1928.

The fifth District Conference was held in Naples on May 9th, 10th and 11th 1929, with a splendid attendance from all Clubs, in an atmosphere of increased fellowship.

Rotarian Achard represented Rotary International, while the Italian Government was represented by Rotarian M. Castelli, High Commissioner for the Province of Naples. The Conference discussed several matters of strictly Rotarian character, and a group of competent speakers dealt with the demographic problem, which is one of the  subjects  on which public opinion is most interested in Italy. But the most important action of the Conference was the voting of a resolution intended to state the position of Rotary with reference to a Rotarian's relation to his country. The resolution was shortly afterwards submitted by the Italian clubs to the Convention of Dallas, where it was finally adopted. As this resolution clearly reflects the attitude of the Italian Rotarians on some fundamental aspects of Rotary. Here's its text:       

"Through cooperation and fellowship between the representatives of the various business and professional lines Rotary affirms the duty of every citizen to address his first of all towards the progress and prosperity of his country.
Rotary has no political or religious character and as such it never intended nor intends to form any party or any sect nor to adopt a particular moral code. As men of different religions may belong to it, Rotary has absolute respect for the religious faith of its members. Organized in fifty-two countries, Rotary in each of them conforms its action to sincere respect and regards for the political and religious institutions of the Nation and expects its members, while cooperating toward a cordial international understanding, to be thoroughly loyal to their religious and moral ideals and to the higher interests of their particular country".

The Naples Conference elected the office of Governor, for 1929-1930, Rotarian Biagio Borriello, charter member and President of the R.C. of Naples, member of the Parliament, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Naples, a prominent man in the shipping business both in Italy and abroad.

THE ITALIAN NATIONAL COUNCIL

The Board of Directors of Rotary International, approved in 1925 the creation of a National Council, to assist the Governor of the 46th District in the administration of Rotary in Italy. The Council was composed of delegates from the various Clubs of the District, each Club having the right to appoint one delegate for every 25 members or major fraction.
The Council is essentially a consultative body, and its resolutions may be carried out only through the Governor and with the consent of the Governor who can also veto any resolution not consistent with the Constitution and By Laws of Rotary International.
The National Council has proved very useful in creating frequent and close contacts between the leading men of the different Clubs, in unifying ideas and pratical policies, in enabling the Governor to keep in touch with the tendencies and opinions of the various Clubs of Italy into a definite body with a national field of action and a national character.
The Council met three time every year: in spring, fall and winter and its members were elected every year by the various Clubs. The General Secretary , the Assistant General Secretary and the Treasurer of the District (it was 46th), were elected every year by the National Council its self. The picture represent a meeting of the National Council in 1927, Park Hotel in Leghorn.

CHRONOLOGY OF THE BIRTH OF ROTARY CLUBS IN ITALY, UNTIL YEAR 1950  (48 Clubs)

20 December 1923: Rotary Club Milano

24 March 1924: Rotary Club Trieste

6 January 1925: Rotary Club Roma, Napoli and Torino

7 January 1925: Rotary Club Palermo

31 January 1925: Rotary Club Genova

7 March 1925: Rotary Club Firenze

8 March 1925: Rotary Club Livorno (Leghorn)

16 March 1925: Rotary Club Venezia

13 June 1925: Rotary Club Bergamo

3 October 1925: Rotary Club Parma

18 October 1925: Rotary Club Cuneo

1926: Rotary Club Cremona and Piacenza

1927: Rotary Club  Bologna, Brescia and Como

1928: Rotary Club Verona and Messina

1929: Rotary Club Varese and Novara

1930: Rotary Club Catania and La Spezia

1931: Rotary Club Savona

1932: Rotary Club Sanremo

1933: Rotary Club Bari

1934: Rotary Club Vicenza

1936: Rotary Club Perugia

1937: Rotary Club Biella

1938: Rotary Club Alessandria

1948: Rotary Club Ravenna and Reggio Calabria

1949: Rotary Club Modena, Reggio Emilia, Trento, Treviso, Cagliari, Sassari, L'Aquila, Cosenza and Siracusa

1950: Rotary Club Bolzano, Potenza, Taranto, Crema, Pavia and Asti

 

James Henderson	Giorgio Mylius	Piero Pirelli

Click on the below image to view full screen Constitution  Chart of the Leghorn Club, early March 1925. 

The below image is a picture of a rare inscription,  anticipating Rotarian principles, which was sculpted in the XVth Century over the Renaissance doorway of the noble Berardetti house, 29 - via del Duomo, Spoleto (Italy). Click on the image to fully enlarge it. The motto over the door, enact in ancient Italian: "Per Servire s'acquista - Servi quando p(u)oi" which means: "Who Serves Profits - Serve when you can".