A Brief History of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II

The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II was chartered on May 19, 1979.  A member of Rotary District 7020, we currently have 61 members.  Our meetings are held every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at Marriott Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort on beautiful St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

History of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II

Rotary came to the Virgin Islands with the chartering of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas in 1957.  In 1975, several members of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas began urging for the organization of a second club.   Efforts in this direction were unsuccessful until Rotary International changed its policy of geographical separation to permit clubs to share the same geographical area.

During 1978, President Costas Coulianos released the following seven members from The Rotary Club of St. Thomas, some of whom were Past Presidents, and charged them with establishing a second club: Macon M. Berryman, Leslie Cooper, Thomas J. Lawrence. Dr. Eric L. O'Neil, PP Rabbi Stanley T. Relkin,  Patrick M. Rice, and Jack Weinberger. At that time, Dave Maas, the founder and Past President of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas was residing in North Carolina but continuing the practice of law on St. Thomas during part of the year. Dave was an honorary member of the club and was asked to assist in this organization effort. Thus Dave served as Organizing President and Macon as Organizing Vice-President.

In the spring of 1979, Dave Maas called a meeting to include himself, Macon M. Berryman, Les Cooper, Tom Lawrence, Bob Noble, Eric O'Neal, Patrick M. Rice and Rabbi Stanley Relkin-all members of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas, at the request of then President Costas Coulianos, to further explore the possibilities of starting a second club. The result of that meeting was the inception of The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II.  Macon M. Berryman was the founder and Dave Maas was the Club's first President. Patrick M. Rice was affectionately known as the Godfather of the new club, with his official position being Club Secretary. The other charter members included Kendrick Bragg, Darwin Crequé, Joe Davis, Sr., Bob Davis, Hank Feuerzeig, Steve Gegus, Frank McLaughlin, Aubrey Nelthrop, Leo Penha and Dick Spenceley, a total of 18 members. Jack Weinberger passed on before the new club was formed.

The first provisional meeting for Rotary II was held on April 4, 1979 at the Virgin Isle Hotel. Wednesday noon was chosen as the meeting day and time. 

The Rotary Club of St. Thomas II was chartered on April 14, 1979, and the charter document was actually presented at the District Conference Banquet on May 19, 1979. Archie Ogden was the first member installed after the charter was awarded. Hank Feuerzeig, Charter Member, and Archie Ogden have continued as members of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas II ever since they were inducted 36 years ago.

And we have been going strong ever since!