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 Rotary
International President Guy
Gundaker of
Philadelphia, Pa spoke to the Convention on a theme of
Business Methods and ended with a song written in his
honour in October 1923. The song was composed by
Lancaster, Pa Rotary Club members Martin M Harnish
(lyrics) and Harry A Sykes (music) and sung live by Adam
Z Moore.
I see the Flag of Rotary
From
land to land unfurled;
I see a bond of hope and love
Binding a heartsick world.
Ten times thousand men
each week
For high ideals join hands;
And then go
forth to teach, to love
Those ideals throughout all
lands.
'Tis ours to make a better world,
To
sense, to love, to give;
To make our dream of dreams
come true -
We've but one life to live.
 The
Presidency was handed on one of Paul Harris' many
friendsEverett
W Hill of
Oklahoma City.
1From 1912 to 1930 and often
after that due to Paul
Harris' health is
was necessary for him only to send messages.
Photo upper left "1924
Convention in Session at the coliseum, Canadian National
exhibition"
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 Over 1,500
Clubs were
represented at the convention held at the Canadian
National Exhibition Grounds attended by a record 9,173
delegates. By 1924, Rotary had soared past the
100,000 member mark and new countries such as
Switzerland and Bermuda entered the Rotary family.
A "Rotary Day in the Churches" preceded the
Convention proper with many of the Toronto churches
participating with appropriate Rotary sermons read out
by Rotary pastors. Toronto was an apt venue as its name
is derived from the Huron Indian meaning "place of
meeting". Rotary would return there in 1942.
The Good-will
Pageant was
a spectacular affair set on the banks of the majestic
Lake Ontario. The 20,000 audience was entertained with a
"tattoo" including military bands and highland dancers.
The flags of the 28 Rotary countries were proudly
displayed and amongst the songs that the enthralled
company heard was "Abide With Me" and Robert Burns's
"Comin Through the Rye". The pageant's climax involved a
magnificent sunset fireworks display with, finally, the
emblazoned words of Welcome - Rotary International
displayed.
King George V sent
a telegram
of welcome to
all Rotarians at the convention and paid tribute to the
movement's work. Frank Littlefield, President of the Toronto
Rotary Club welcomed
fellow delegates to his city and told of how the Toronto
Club had dreamed of this day for the twelve years of
their existence.
As always,
Emeritus President Paul
Harris sent1 greetings
to the gathering. He said: "Is there not prophetic
significance in the fact that in this city, located as
it is on the unfortified frontier between the United
States of America and the Dominion of Canada, this great
meeting is to be held?"
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