Rotary celebrates 70 years
Posted by Stephen Rhodes
The Rotary Club of Brampton is celebrating its 70th anniversary at a
special dinner Friday, June 11 at Rotary Glen.
The club was first sponsored by the Orangeville Rotary Club in 1940. Interest in forming a Rotary Club in Brampton club began prior to 1940 but was abandoned because of the strength of the Brampton Lions Club.
The club was formerly admitted to Rotary International on June 12, 1940 and its charter night was held June 24, at St. Paul's United Church. The Charter President was A.H. "Bert" Milner. Walter Misner, who initially polled local business leaders for membership, was Vice-President.
The club was first sponsored by the Orangeville Rotary Club in 1940. Interest in forming a Rotary Club in Brampton club began prior to 1940 but was abandoned because of the strength of the Brampton Lions Club.
The club was formerly admitted to Rotary International on June 12, 1940 and its charter night was held June 24, at St. Paul's United Church. The Charter President was A.H. "Bert" Milner. Walter Misner, who initially polled local business leaders for membership, was Vice-President.
Dr. Harry Robinson was Treasurer; Cy West, Secretary; Bill Mair, Sergeant-at-arms and Jack Dalzell was a director. Other members included Wesley Fleury, Malcolm Munroe, Bill Rayson, Leslie Bell, Rev. T.W.F.G. Andrews, Gerry Robinson, Stewart Robinson, Gordon Russell and Doug Dickson.
From 1940-45 community projects were kept to a minimum so as not to compete with wartime fundraising.
By 1950, the club was active in sponsoring new clubs in area including Port Credit, Streetsville, Bolton and eventually Bramalea and Brampton South. Three District Governors have been elected beginning with Ken Partridge in 1950, Norm Guild in 1976 and Norm Bindon in 2009.
The club has a long tradition of developing community events to raise money for local charities –"working together to make our community better," says current Club President Ken Spreen.
Rotarians are business and professional people. They subscribe to the Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It's a simple and straightforward guidepost for Rotarians.
The club owns the Rotary Glen Banquet Hall on Queen Street W. and Rutherford Bingo, which contributes nearly $2 million annually to worthwhile community projects.
The Rotary Club of Brampton supports Easter Seals, Youth Exchange and Junior Achievement, the annual Brampton Santa Claus parade, Peel Memorial Hospital Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Youth scholarships, St. Leonard's House, Peel Children's Centre, Peel Literacy Guild and Safe City Brampton.
The club has left lasting legacies in Brampton including the skating rink and playground at Gage Park, the Rotary Pool at the Brampton YMCA and Rotary Resolve House at St. Leonard's House. In 2004 the club contributed $250,000 to support the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT) at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Brampton.
The club also supports Rotary Youth Leadership awards, primary, high school and university scholarships and numerous organizations and individuals through its Grants and Awards committee.
Internationally, the club has been involved in education, hospitals, Leprosy, Polio eradication and a clean water and dairy project in Africa. They also have an active Youth Exchange program where students from around the world are hosted in our community. And each year they send students to other countries to visit and experience a new place and culture.
The club has 60 active members, who are committed to making our community and world a better place.
From 1940-45 community projects were kept to a minimum so as not to compete with wartime fundraising.
By 1950, the club was active in sponsoring new clubs in area including Port Credit, Streetsville, Bolton and eventually Bramalea and Brampton South. Three District Governors have been elected beginning with Ken Partridge in 1950, Norm Guild in 1976 and Norm Bindon in 2009.
The club has a long tradition of developing community events to raise money for local charities –"working together to make our community better," says current Club President Ken Spreen.
Rotarians are business and professional people. They subscribe to the Four Way Test: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? It's a simple and straightforward guidepost for Rotarians.
The club owns the Rotary Glen Banquet Hall on Queen Street W. and Rutherford Bingo, which contributes nearly $2 million annually to worthwhile community projects.
The Rotary Club of Brampton supports Easter Seals, Youth Exchange and Junior Achievement, the annual Brampton Santa Claus parade, Peel Memorial Hospital Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society, Youth scholarships, St. Leonard's House, Peel Children's Centre, Peel Literacy Guild and Safe City Brampton.
The club has left lasting legacies in Brampton including the skating rink and playground at Gage Park, the Rotary Pool at the Brampton YMCA and Rotary Resolve House at St. Leonard's House. In 2004 the club contributed $250,000 to support the Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies (CAMDT) at Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Brampton.
The club also supports Rotary Youth Leadership awards, primary, high school and university scholarships and numerous organizations and individuals through its Grants and Awards committee.
Internationally, the club has been involved in education, hospitals, Leprosy, Polio eradication and a clean water and dairy project in Africa. They also have an active Youth Exchange program where students from around the world are hosted in our community. And each year they send students to other countries to visit and experience a new place and culture.
The club has 60 active members, who are committed to making our community and world a better place.