Club History

The PROVISIONAL ROTARY CLUB OF CLEARBROOK held its first meeting January 10th, 1985.  At the sixth meeting (February 14th, 1985) the name was changed to the PROVISIONAL ROTARY CLUB OF ABBOTSFORD-MATSQUI (although the minutes of that meeting are titled: Matsqui-Abbotsford).

The first Directors meeting took place February 15, 1985 wherein the following directorships were assigned: Les Corlett – International; Ken Matsamoto – Vocational; Lorne MacLure – Club Service; Al Hougen – Community.  At that meeting it was agreed to open an account at the T.D. bank on Ware Street.

The Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Matsqui was admitted into Rotary International on the 23rd of February, 1985 – the 80th anniversary of Rotary International.  Each member paid US$20 for admission into the club and C$75 in annual membership dues.

More than 30 years later and, like most clubs, many members have come and gone (there are still a couple of original charter members that have been through it all and are still going strong!) but from the new members to the long standing members, the focus remains the same in that it is always centered upon the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.