Davinder was asked to speak today about how and when Rotary came to Vancouver, the Power of Rotary today and What is happening in Vancouver, in the District and Internationally.  Davinder felt that to do this topic justice she would speak today only on the history of Vancouver. The following is a synopsis of her masterful and inspiring account.  In due time it will be included in our Website.

 

Rotary Vancouver was initiated with the help of the Seattle Rotary Club in March 2013 with 32 members, but by the time it became affiliated  with Rotary International in 1914 it had  swelled to 94 members.

 

Life changed with the start of the Great War in which 38 club members served.  At home there was a need to engage in treating victims of Tuberculosis and at the end of the war dealing with the deadly flu epidemic.

 

In December 1917 Rotary agreed to support construction of a Free Health Clinic with an immediate donation of $17,700 plus a pledge to raise a further $60,000. The clinic opened in early 1919 and was run by the club for the first year before it handed the Administration over to the City Health Department. The clinic offered Nose and Throat treatment, Visiting Nursing and Diagnostic services and a unique Open Air School to allow children under treatment to continue their schooling, in what was considered to be ideal conditions. With a surplus of $9000 the club decided to establish a Fresh Air Camp for children at risk, located on the shore of West Point Grey on property donated by the Province. It could accommodate 142 children in season, was operated for many years by what became known as The Women’s Auxiliary, finally becoming the Rotary Institute for Chest Diseases.

 

In 1918 during the flu epidemic Club members transported nurses and volunteers for 5 weeks, day and night, to and from the Concentration Hospital set up at King Edward School.

 

 In 1921 the club supported the first Vancouver Boys Club and the Hastings Community Centre to help deal with the emerging Drug problem.

 

Then in 1987 Rotary International mobilized each Rotary Club to raise funds to immunize every child in the free world against Polio infection. The Vancouver clubs set an objective of $75,000. The response brought in $100,000. This programme continues.