Being in Latin America, the Rotary Club of Panama followed  the Rotary Clubs of Havana Cuba (1915-1916) and Montevideo, Uruguay (1918).  It obtained its Corporate charter in 1919 a few months after its inaugural meeting on July 3 1919.  This was organised  by the great Rotarian Federico  Pezet, who arrived from the United States on a trip to Peru.   At the meeting on July 10 1919, the first Board of Directors chose one the name of 'Rotary Club of Panama', and it was with this name that it received its Corporate charter on November 1 1919.  At this first Meeting were among others, Federico Alonso Pezet, the Moral Dr Ramon, Pretty Albert, Jose Maria Chiari, Tomás Gabriel Duke,  Dr Jorge Boyd, and the Aryan Dr Harmodio Madrid who was chosen first President of the Club. On November 8 1919, Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Montevideo, Uruguay, crossed the Rio de la Plata and founded the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires, which received its Corporate charter in 1920.

It is with pride that, as Panamanians, we can say that the Rotary Club of Panama is the  second oldest in Latin America  after the Rotary Club of Montevideo, Uruguay, since unfortunately the Rotary Club of Havana, Cuba, no longer exists. The seeds of Rotary soon began to bear fruit, because in December of 1919 a Rotary Club in Columbus was already being discussed.  Panamanian  Rotarians  as distinguished citizens were excited by the prospect.

In February 1920 they began to meet with the members of the Cristóbal Columbus Rotary Club, which had continued to meet regularly, although it was not till March 1  1921 that the club obtained its Corporate charter, making it  one of the oldest clubs on the American Continent.

Following the first club in Panama, 10 Rotary Clubs were started in our small country, giving a service to our communities, by promoting  comradeship,  education,  health, the well-being through service and a better understanding. According to the dates in which they received its Corporate charters we have: Rotary club of Panama, November 1 1919; Rotary Club of Cristobal-Columbus, March 1 1921;  Rotary Club of David , November 1 1932; Rotary Club of Santiago, December 24 1969; Rotary  Club of Panama South, June 7 1971; Rotary Club of Panama West, August 30 1972 ; Rotary Club of Spout, December 6 1979; Rotary Club of Northeastern  Panama, August 26 1981; Rotary Club of North Panama, November 21 1996 ;   Golden Panama Club , April 25 2001.   The history of Rotary in Panama would be incomplete if we did not mention that the Founder of Rotary Paul Harris and his wife Jean visited Panama on January 24 1936, being entertained by Rotarians and their spouses from the clubs then existing, Panama, Cristo'bal-Columbus and David at a banquet in the Unioñ Club . In Panama they attended the President of the Republic and the most distinguished men of our country and their ladies.

Paul and Jean Harris also visited Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.  On the way, Paul Harris  was planting 'friendship trees' that with their abundant foliage have given shelter to humanity through service and friendship.

Edited 12 August 2008 by RGHF Senior Historian and history co chair Basil Lewis, UK

Original page posted by Greg Barlow, Malaysia