Events & Newsletter
The Club started after a visit in 1920 by Oscar Olson of the Vancouver Rotary Club. He thought that Prince Rupert would be an excellent location for a Rotary Club.
The Prince Rupert Rotary held its first meeting on April 14, 1921 with 13 founding members in attendance. Its Charter and table gong were presented by John Kearns on July 20, 1921.
Each Wednesday, a steam ship delivered food, supplies, and visitors to Prince Rupert. Local stores remained open late on Wednesdays and Thursdays were considered half holidays. Rotary meetings were held Thursday afternoons at the old St. Regis Cafe. Membership reached 50 people by 1942.
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Prince Rupert Rotary Club, 1924 - 25
The Rotary Club of Prince Rupert has participated in many community projects over the past 80 years. In 1923, the Club held a dance to support the Boy Scouts, closing off Second Avenue for the event. In 1930 and 1931, a carnival was held on Acropolis Hill raising $3,000 for a boy's centre.
Much of the work by the Club over the years has focused on the children's ward at the local hospital. Funds were raised for children's beds, glass partitions, toys, games and interior decorations. Club members also helped establish the first live blood bank for the City.
The Rotary Club has improved local recreation facilities by raising funds for the Civic Centre, helping purchase the building, and supporting operations of the swimming pool. The Rotary tennis court was another club project.
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Prince Rupert Rotary Club, 1974
In 1971, the Club celebrated its 50th anniversary by hosting the Rotary District Conference. The bylaws of Rotary International were amended in 1989 to enable women to become Rotarians. The first female member, Sharon Ballinger, joined in 1991.
When the Club again hosted the District Conference in 1993, the event was held at sea. Rotarians cruised from Vancouver to Prince Rupert, arriving on a warm and sunny day. Over 700 people were fed at a seafood barbeque and the group was addressed by the Lieutenant Governor, David Lam.