This month in Rotary history

Rotary International News -- 1 April 2008

Members of the Rotary Club of Havana, Cuba, in 1923. Photo from Rotary Images.

Rotary in Cuba

The first Rotary club to be organized outside an English-speaking country was established in Havana, Cuba, 29 April 1916, with 22 charter members. The club was admitted to Rotary on 1 June 1916.

During 1923, the Rotary Club of Havana celebrated its seventh anniversary, in what became a very busy year. The club sponsored a carnival attended by more than 1,500 children, won a prohibition against bullfighting in Cuba, worked to get the city’s water sanitized and properly purified, and obtained pavement repairs in certain areas.

By the time the RI Convention was held in Havana, 9-14 June 1940, 42 of the 48 clubs that had been chartered in Cuba were still active. Another 20 clubs would be chartered thereafter, ending with the Rotary Club of San Cristobal, on 16 October 1957.

Rotary clubs in Cuba produced four RI directors – Mario Nuñoz Mesa, 1922-23; Felix Silva Fernandez, 1936-37; Manuel Galigarcia Hernández, 1942-43; and Horacio Navarrete, 1953-54. All clubs in Cuba were terminated by 31 January 1979.

Contact Rotary history and archives for more historical information about Rotary.

20 Comments:

At 9:23AM on 17 April 2009, Luis Diego Castro wrote: We want to help to open a Rotary Club in Cuba, keep me informed!

At 9:28AM on 4 December 2008, Dr. James J. Yarmus wrote: I came to the US as a teenager and have returned to Cuba, my birthplace, only once about 5 years ago. I can assure our fellow Rotarians that the need is great. From Box Shelters to medicines to food, they are in need of assistance. I pray that this will be the year of peace and reconciliation for those who stayed in my country.

At 8:31AM on 29 May 2008, vipin wrote: great. this is a very valuable information

At 9:21AM on 20 May 2008, david disbrow wrote: I would interested in helping to establish a rotary program in Cuba. If others are interested we should network. Also interested is doing a medical mission to Cuba. I have other cardiologist and surgeons ready to work.

At 11:08AM on 1 May 2008, R.R>Babuji wrote: very informative

At 11:10AM on 15 April 2008, Sonia McDonald wrote: I am a Cuban and I want to help whit the proyect of revitalizing in Cuba the Rotary Club Sonia McDonald

At 8:33AM on 11 April 2008, somchai nirachornkul wrote: Thank for the organizer

At 2:32PM on 10 April 2008, Elly Contreras wrote: During a recent trip to Cuba we met many wonderful (young) business people, of whom many expressed the desire to have Rotary reestablished in their country and who have given us their contact information. One even showed us some pictures of the original Rotary meeting in Havana. There is a need for service, there is a need for Rotary Clubs.

At 8:28AM on 10 April 2008, Bob Santo wrote: This is a very interesting story about the history of our club. I intend to use this for our "Rotary Minute" at lunch on Monday.

At 8:31AM on 10 April 2008, abdul Hadi wrote: valuable information.

At 8:31AM on 10 April 2008, Abdul Hadi wrote: Informative news

At 8:27AM on 9 April 2008, Ogunkanmmbi Johnson wrote: Its a pity that Cuban children are in need, we need to reestablish Rotary in Cuba because children in other to MAKE DREAMS REAL.. Would not mind being a volunteer

At 8:34AM on 8 April 2008, Igor Colakovic wrote: Thank you all for valuable information on current state of Rotarian movement on Cuba. I was one of few members of Rotary Club Varazdin (Croatia, part of D 1910) who have visited Cuba recently (just after Easter). Among other places, we have visited Plaza Hotel in Havana, and have noticed there is no visible trace of Rotary Club on the spot. When asked, hotel staff showed no knowledge on Rotary, or just didn't want to talk on that subject. I strongly support the idea to reestablish Rotary Clubs on Cuba, but before that happens, I would like to start helping children of Cuba right now. I saw with my very eyes that they need all the help they can get. RC Varazdin has will, certain influence in our community, and resources to help Cuban children. Children food, medicine, diapers is the least we can collect and ship to Cuba. If anyone knows how could it be done – please contact me.

At 9:18AM on 8 April 2008, Dirk Nicholson wrote: With all the 'changes' occurring in Cuba, the time is now to restart Rotary Club in Cuba. We could make such a difference.

At 9:39AM on 8 April 2008, Marco Kappenberger wrote: In 1940 Paul Harris reminded all present at the RI Convention in Havana, Cuba, now part of our RI District 4200 : "I have no hesitation in saying that world peace could be achieved and made permanent if reared on Rotary's firm foundation of friendliness, tolerance and usefulness."

At 12:47PM on 3 April 2008, Eugene Beil wrote: I attended a humanitarian Rotary trip to Cuba in Novemeber 2007. I am a Rotarian from Florida. The trip was organized by the Hispanic-Latino Rotary Club of Salt Lake City. Rotarians from Texas, Idaho & California also attended. It was a great experience. There were many, many tourists from Canada and Europe.

At 10:02AM on 2 April 2008, David Alfaro III wrote: Hopefully, Rotary will become part of Rotary very soon. Great work by the Archive department

At 9:46AM on 2 April 2008, Bernie Bramante wrote: I encourage the Miami Rotary Clubs to re-establish the Havana Rotary Club on Jan 31, 2009, or sooner.

At 8:30AM on 2 April 2008, Diane McVey wrote: It would be a wonderful occasion to re-establish Rotary in Cuba. Maybe Jan 31, 2009, 30 years after all were terminated should be a goal. Peace scholars from Argentina program could maybe be of help.

At 3:21PM on 1 April 2008, Joann Farley wrote: great

Add a comment

Your name * Your email * (non-public) Your comment * * indicates a required field

Share your passion for Rotary
Refer a member

Buy tickets now
Join us at the NY Philharmonic

2010 RI Convention
Register early and save