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A Brief History of Rotary District 506
1956 – 1990
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In 1990, PDG H. D. “Dick” Pritchard (1972-1973) wrote a history of the district that outlined the changes in geography and district number over the years. That history was printed and distributed in the small manual shown here. District 506 became District 5060 in 1991-1992.
While the publication contains lots of information about the Governors who have served the district and the clubs, a few paragraphs contain the actual history. They are reproduced below.
“How We Became District 506"
We are all aware that Rotary has come a long way since those four business men in Chicago gathered together back in February 23, 1905 for the first Rotary meeting. Were our founder, Paul Harris, living today he would be most grateful to learn that there now exists 447 Districts with 24,461 Rotary Clubs in 167 Countries of the world. Membership has long since passed the million mark and perhaps the best news is that even Russia has joined the Rotary family.
Many changes have taken place since 1905. Five years after Rotary club No. 1 was formed in Chicago, sixteen clubs had blossomed into active service. They extend from Coast to Coast with only one, Winnipeg, in Canada. It was at this time that the association of Rotary Clubs came into being.
In 1914 the area later to become District 506 and 508 was the first Rotary division, as it was then called, to hold a conference. Tacoma had this honour and was followed by Victoria the next year.
By 1915, Rotary became more international and boasted some 160 clubs with 20,000 Rotarians. It was at this time that the term “Divisions” ceased to exist and the term “Districts” took its place.
District No. 15 included all of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Alaska and the Idaho Panhandle. Spokane was chartered in 1911 but it was not until 1919 that the first club in what is now District 506 came into being. Yakima has the honour of being that club.
There has been and there still exists a feeling that the international relationship, much loved by Rotarians on both sides of that imaginary line which joins our two countries, should resist division. District 102 became 101 with no change in boundaries.
Finally, District 103 and 104 divided the very large district of 101. We in the present district of 506 became part of District 103. Dr. Bob Irving, a charter member of the Kamloops club, became its first Governor in 1945.
Clarence Ernest followed him the next year and the District number became 153 and continued as such until 1955-56 with Bob Green as governor. Governor Bob had the unpleasant task of dividing this ever growing district and it was at this time that the East half became No. 156 and the west half retaining the No. 153. On July 1, 1956 these numbers were changed to No. 508 and 506 respectively. Jack Coventry of Nelson was elected governor of the east half and John Coe of Penticton became governor of the west half. This is how District 506 gradually evolved and the boundaries have not been changed since that day. We still cherish the international relationship that has existed throughout the years.“
For another view of the district, visit the RGHF link on left side of this page.