“NOT A RELIGION”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1940, Page 7

“NOT A RELIGION”

ROTARY INTERNATIONAL EVOLUTION OF MOVEMENT. ADDRESS ON CLUB SERVICE. “Rotary International is not a religion. Nor is it a complete philosophy of life," stated Mr S. L. P. Free in giving an interesting address on “Club Service” at- the weekly meeting of the Masterton Rotary Club yesterday afternoon. Describing the evolution of the Rotary movement, Mr Free stated that it was founded in 1905 when a number of men banded together and formed a luncheon club. Only the spirit of the men made the club into something better. Gradually Rotary clubs ed to other cities until there were 15 or 16 clubs in the U.S.A. The clubs had no precedent, no standard rules nor any laws governing them. In 1905 it was realised that there was a need for some form of government, so ;. meeting was held in Chicago. The secretary appointed still held office today. His office had grown from a few pigeon holes in his business desk to r large office occupying two floors of a huge building and employing an cnormtous staff. In 1910 a central organisation was developed. consisting of a president, a board of directors (elected annually) and various committees, such as finance, and club service. The committees acted in‘an advisory capacity to the directors who were the governing body of Rotary International. All representation at the annual convention by the club throughout the world, outside of America, was by proxy. Thus the New Zealand governor took proxies for all the clubs in New Zealand. Mr Free expounded the aims and ideals of Rotary as a power for good in the community}’. and for the promotion of international goodfellowship among businessmen. “The time will come when every power we possess will have to be used to heal the wounds inflicted on a war wearv world,” concluded Mr Free.