How it all began - The Rotary Club of Fenelon Falls

On Dec 6,1943 the Lindsay Rotary Club held a meeting at the "Mansion House", Fenelon Falls with a view to forming a new Rotary Club there. Present at this meeting was DG Harmon Rice, Huntsville. Attending from Lindsay Rotary Club were PDG Dan McQuarrie, President Harry Stone and Secretary Frank Weldon. The District Governor outlined the aims and objects of Rotary as wells as the various steps required to form a new club. The Lindsay members offered ongoing assistance which has grown into a strong relationship between the two clubs that continues today.

From a list of 21 Charter Members the following Executive was chosen for the newly formed Rotary Club of Fenelon Falls. Charter Pres-Charles McInnes,VP-Max Brandon, Sec-Albert Welk, Treas-Wm.J.Moore,Sgt at Arms-Jim Curtis. Charter Directors included: G.C.Grahm,George Allen, Foster M. Graham and Monty Robson. Meetings were held every Thursday, 6:45PM, at the Mansion House. The day and time have remained unchanged since 1943.

The first project was undertaken to help introduce the new service club to the community. This was a skating carnival held on Feb 11,1944. Monty Robson and Max Brandon were Chairmen. "They were a good choice as they brought a sense of enthusiasm and showmanship to the project that, along with the other new Rotarians, guaranteed a first class show." The net proceeds of over $200  were granted to the skating rink and Red Cross Society thus begining over 60 years of Rotary Servce to the community. 

The nomination meeting of Apr 6,1944 recorded a motion by Alf Tiers, seconded by Wellie McFarland "That the same slate of officers as at present continue in office for the next Rotary year." The motion carried, resulting in the Charter Executive holding office until June 1945, almost 19 months!

The official Club Charter Night was held Apr 19, 1944 with the largest concourse of Rotarians ever assembled in Fenelon Falls to date gathering at the United Church. Records from this special meeting read as follows: "To say this meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem would not be strictly correct. It closed with many  a hearty handshake of new-found friends with a very much greater understanding on the part of our members of the true ideals of Rotary and Rotary Fellowship, and a great yearning for more."