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HISTORY CALENDAR SECTION HOME Conventions of Rotary International  -  COUNCIL ON LEGISLATION THEMES
HOST CLUBS 50TH ANN. CENTENNIAL 1ST CONVENTION ALL CONVENTIONS CURRENT RI THEME
The 29th Convention - San Francisco, June 19-24, with 10,432 in attendance

Maurice Deperrey, Paris
SF#2 Welcomes Rotary Rotarians were greeted with many choices of wondrous things to see and do. Touring the west. Duperrey bio
Concert Program 13 Past Presidents attended the convention, including Harris President Duperrey's speech Ches Perry's report to the convention

All Images Wolfgang Ziegler

"We sincerely regret that the Rotarians of Germany and Austria, in the face of circumstances, felt that the only decision they could take was to disband their Rotary clubs, and we are sorry that, through Rotary, men of good‑will in fourscore countries of the world, no longer have the opportunity of close contacts with men of good‑will in Germany. But even though the former members of Rotary clubs in Germany are no longer Rotarians, they are still our friends."

"Rotarians everywhere are deeply regretful that the clubs in Germany and Austria have found it necessary to sever the ties which have bound German and Austrian Rotarians in friendly fellowship with men of many other nations, and at the same time, discontinue the fellowship they had in the weekly meetings of their own clubs."
The 1938 was held in San Francisco between June 19th-24th. 10,409 registered for the event representing 3,696 Clubs.

"The town is yours!" declared Mayor Angelo J Rossi as delegates were welcomed to Club #2's home patch. Governor Frank F Merriam also welcomed the world's Rotarians.

For International Visitors, traveling to the Conventions of the past meant boat and train rides and as such many Rotarians had arranged open houses for visiting Rotarians as they made their way to California. Cities such as Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and St Louis entertained visiting Rotarians and arranged sight-seeing tours of their localities.

As Rotary became more and more an international movement, Paul Harris told the Convention that "Somehow the difficulties in the way of electing presidents from oversees must be overcome" and "further internationality of Rotary must be achieved".

As always the business of the Convention could be monotonous. Although we remember that Chesley Perry served as Secretary for 32 years, another Chicago Rotarian served for many years in an important position. Rufus F Chapin took care of Rotary finances for many years and was here told "You are re-elected Treasurer of Rotary International as usual".

The 1936-7 Clubs of the Year were the following.		 Club Service Division - Toronto
Community Service Division - Waurika, Oklahoma
Vocational Service Division - Waxahachie, Texas
International Service Division - Ithaca, New York.

Secretary Perry told in his Convention Report that due to Paul Harris' 70th birthday, clubs and districts had been asked that if they wished to honor the occasion they might send a contribution to the Rotary Foundation in lieu of the usual congratulatory telegrams. Clubs received a letter explaining what the Foundation can do. Total cash pledges up to May 20th 1938 stood at $9,192.99.

Throughout the year The Rotarian had had many contributions from eminent personages  such as Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Lord Tweedsmuir (aka, the novelist, John Buchan).

In July 1937, The Office of the Secretariat opened in Singapore specifically for the newly emerging Asian Clubs.

The Foundation gave a grant of $5,000 to Rotary International to promote the organization of Institutes of International Understanding. Amongst Rotary Foundation honorary trustees were founder Arch Klumph and former President Herbert Hoover ( hon. Member of Pine Bluff Rotary Club, Arkansas).
 

Calum Thomson
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