WHEN DID ROTARY BECOME "INTERNATIONAL?" Winnipeg, was *organized on 3 November 1910 and chartered on 13 April 1912. Rotary continued to be called the "National Association of Rotary Clubs" until after the "Charter" of Winnipeg and the convention of 1912 in Duluth, Minnesota, USA. At that time, Rotary became the International Association of Rotary Clubs. London was also chartered that year.

So, when did Rotary become "international?" Most early clubs and even clubs today have an attachment to their "organizational" date rather than their "Charter." But, "officially" it would have to be said that in 1910, there was a club "organized" outside of the US. Therefore we were an "international" organization, were we not? But, Rotary did not "officially" call itself "international" until August 1912.  Bottom line: Rotary became "International" in 1910!

And that's your "Four Way Test" for today!

 

Winnipeg was asked to send a delegation to the Portland Convention in 1911. President Harris sent a letter to the club after they declined.

"I am sorry indeed that you cannot have one representative present at the convention. Many of your difficulties would vanish in the enthusiasm and exchange of ideas".

So, we know that if Winnipeg had gone to Portland they would have been admitted to Rotary and made the movement International in 1911.

Brief histories of the "First 100" Clubs

Rotary Club of Winnipeg 35

Rotary International District 5550

Organized 3 November 1910 under the National Association of Rotary Clubs

Chartered 13 April 1912 by the National Association of Rotary Clubs

The club that made Rotary "International"

From the collection of Wolfgang Ziegler

Our Winnipeg Rotary Club held it's first meeting on November 3rd, 1910, and again 4 days later making it the oldest Rotary Club outside the United States of America.  The club was started by Mr. P A C McIntyre who had met with members from the Chicago Club.

In December of 1911 the Winnipeg Club became affiliated with the National Association of Rotary Clubs and on April 1912 the charter was signed by Paul Harris, with a charter also issued to the Winnipeg Rotary Club Limited by the Province of Manitoba on September 14th, 1912.

On July 1st, 1917 the Rev. Leslie D. Pidgeon, a member of the Winnipeg Rotary Club, became President of our International Organization and presided at the 1918 convention in Kansas City

 

 

Also see early supportive history from Rotary Club of Des Moines

In the centennial anniversary year, 2010, of the Winnipeg Rotary Club,  a new club, the Innisfil RC was chartered meeting in the same place as Canada's first club, the YMCA.

 

 

 

 

*From the RI Archives Department:

The Winnipeg Rotary Club was organized (formed) and held it's first meeting on November 3, 1910. This information is according to 50th Anniversary Winnipeg Rotary Club 1910-1960 celebration pamphlet. I believe it to be a reliable source as it includes congratulatory letters from RI President J. Edd McLaughlin and RI General Secretary George R. Means. The National Association of Rotary Clubs admitted Winnipeg on 13 April 1912.

Sincerely,

Cyndi Beck

RI Archives

At the international convention of 1912, in Duluth, Minnesota, USA, Rotary changed its name to the International Association of Rotary Clubs with Winnipeg 35 and London 50 chartered. There were also several Irish and UK clubs organized at that time, but not yet chartered.

Also read about the International Goodwill Weekend

Winnipeg History up to the time Rotary 35 was formed.

The place where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet was the birthplace of Winnipeg. Archeological evidence suggests that people first gathered there to trade over 6000 years ago. In 1738, Pierre de La Verendrye began the fur trading settlement at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The settlement, known as the Red River Colony, became a hub of the fur trade until the 1880s when grain production became more important in Western Canada. This is our story about the beginnings of our city and the historic Exchange District.

The Beginnings--

How people came to Winnipeg--The first people came by boat along the fur traders' routes from Churchill. People tried to build a wagon road from Fort William to Winnipeg but they only got 40 km. in 11 years. The Dawson Road finally was opened in 1871. Lots of people came on the railway after it opened. More buildings were built for all the people. Winnipeg became the most important city in Western Canada. Companies or banks made big buildings on Main Street. *We saw some of them on our tour of the Exchange District.

Immigration--Winnipeg needed a large, growing population. They needed to tell people in other places about Winnipeg. They put articles in newspapers and sent books about Western Canada to the libraries in Ontario. They sent a display to the Ontario Exhibition in 1882. They had a tour and lunch for Ontario reporters and train conductors so that they would tell people about Manitoba. The new city advertised in England and Europe with maps and pamphlets in 10 different languages and Exhibition vans traveled to many different countries. In 1888, the city hired immigration agents to meet the trains and encourage people to stay and farm near Winnipeg. By 1896, thousands of immigrants were coming to the west.

The immigrants needed to make a living. The men worked in heavy industry such as iron, bridge and steel factories. In 1911, 3500 men worked for the C.P.R. station. They worked very long hours at hard labour jobs for low wages. The women worked in clothing factories or sweat jobs in the Exchange District. While their children went to public school to learn English and to get an Canadian Education. The children would return home and find themselves alone until mom and dad returned from work. Many families spilt up during these hard times. But many families stayed together and continued to work hard for a better life in Winnipeg.