ROTARANISM

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 23, 2 May 1947, Page 5

ROTARANISM

WHAKATANE CLUB’S DINNER INITIAL FUNCTION’S SUCCESS With Rotarian Tom Lamont of Auckland as speaker, and Messrs. N. G. McLeod, J. A. Hepburn and Dr. W. R. Lawrence of Te Aroha as official visitors, the recently constituted Whakatane Rotary Club staged its first function last Wednesday, when its inaugural luncheon was honoured by some twenty members in the Commercial Hotel. The club which as yet is very new, managed its first official duty well, and there can be no doubt as to the growing interest in Rotarianism amongst its members. Officers installed at the first public meeting called by invitation from the sponsoring club at Te Aroha, were as nnder: President, H. G. Warren; vice-president, H. Dainton; secretary, H. Dewar; treasurer, A. J. Canning; directors, Rev. H. M. Bell, C. S. Armstrong, L. Buddie and R. Morpeth; Sergeant-at-Arms, iL. H. Brown. Instructive Address Mr Lamont who was welcomed by the president, gave a most informative address touching on the work of the Rotary Club throughout ‘ the world. As Rotarian representative he spoke of the splendid ideals and practical work of the clubs in England, America, South Africa and Australasia. Founded by the late Paul Harris of Chicago, the movement was broad based on the ideals of fellowship and service. Its votaries grew in enthusiasm in well-doing the longer they remained in the movement. It aimed at keeping all its members busy in the interests of the community and of fostering all deserving causes such as the Heritage Movement, and the Crippled Children’s Society. A Steady Growth

An indication of the growth of the Rotary Club might be guaged by the fact that in 1927 there were forty clubs in Chicago-with a total of 3000 members. Today there were 70 clubs and no less than 6000 clubs throughout the world with a total membership of 300,000. At the regular World Conference it was a wonderful source of upliftment to him to see the easy fraternisation and lavish hospitality extended by members of the different nationalities. He mentioned the conference at Philadelphia where the international goodwill defied his powers of description. ’ Spirit of Brotherhood

Mr Lamont gave his own personal experiences of the splendid reception extended one Rotorian to another. In America, in England and in South .Africa, he had been met warmly as an old acquaintance and had experienced a wealth of hospitality which could not but help make towards the ideal of world brotherhood. He had visited the clubs in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Capetown, Manila and other places, and had always found the same spirit of harmony and helpfulness.

In concluding, he extended some personal advice to the local club, which had, he said, always to bear in mind that primarily it existed for the purpose of rendering service to the community. He could see many things in which it could interest itself in at once. Not necessarily by doing the actual manual work but by standing purposefully behind a project and bringing strong pressure to bear upon the authorities responsible.

A hearty vote of thanks and appreciation was carried by acclamation on the call of the chairman.