Rotary 1935

The Rotary Club of North Bay celebrated its 12^th anniversary in 1935.  By then, it was recognized as a refreshing force that was making a difference in this area.  Rotary represented a cross-section of business and professional leaders determined to assist the less fortunate and disabled youth.  In that short time, the club expanded and the members went about their business with a purpose. In these early years, the club was developing good will through good works and gaining public confidence and viewed as an organization that was earning the trust of the community. From the beginning, the service emphasis was youth, organizing and operating baseball and hockey leagues, maintaining ice surfaces and ball diamonds, and the all-important summer camp program.  In 1934 and 1935 Rotary partnered with Lions to host a July 1 celebration with events ranging from children's races to evening dances.  The objective was to have a good time and raise funds to support their charitable activities.

The major Rotary service project continued to be crippled children's clinics that started in 1926.  While this magnificent program owed its existence to Dr R I Harris and Dr Duncan Campbell, it became a total club effort as members sought out disabled children, took personal charge of their treatment and followed their progress with enthusiastic support.  What an accomplishment.  One cannot overstate the wholehearted assistance and encouragement that individual members brought to struggling families and their gratitude for the remedial measures achieved through the clinics and Toronto's Sick Children's Hospital.  In those days medical care was paid on a fee-for-service basis.  Yet, Dr Harris and Dr Campbell contributed their immense expertise, time and energy without charging anything for their services. How can we ever forget their generosity to the less fortunate and devotion to their profession?   

The Rotary members played an equally critical role in administering to the afflicted.  Who were these dedicated North Bay citizens? The club started with 25 founding members in 1923.  By 1935, there were only 9 original members left owing to a variety of life circumstances.  We must remember the general upheaval created by the depression and its impact on families and organizations.  Fortunately, some key members soldiered on and continued to serve the community. The founding members still active in the club in 1935 were: Charlie Brown, Dr Campbell, Fred Fosdick, John McDonald, John MacPherson, Tom Patton, Carl Sanders, James Thomas and Frank Wallace.  George Lee retired from the T&NO in 1935 and became an honorary member.  The club managed to stay strong during the depression.  There were 38 members in 1935 many of them new members who added vitality and inspired leadership.  The first new member in 1923 was E J Pifher.  Given his active role in local politics and the health board in the years to come, E J was a welcome addition who stayed a member for 50 years.  Don Sutherland joined in 1927 and carried on until about 1960.  Sol Waiser was a prominent Main Street businessman who contributed to hospital board and other community projects and pulled his weight in Rotary.  Sol worked at his store almost until the time he died.  By then, he had been in Rotary over 50 years.  Many other members made their mark in North Bay and area.  Among these, we remember Reg Harris, W K P Kennedy, Howard Morison, Ray Moyer, father of Alvin, Norm McCubbin, J W Richardson, great grandfather of David, and Frank Richens to name a few.  There were many more to come and in the next couple years, the club added outstanding members such as George McArthur, T M Palmer, Maitland Gould and E J Roche.  We must also remember our colleagues who stayed only a few years but made a tremendous impact.  In many cases, larger corporations employed them.  They had ability when they came to North Bay and for this reason were soon transferred to higher positions in larger centres.  In their short time, they made a meaningful contribution to club projects.

Rotary has an enviable public service record.  The members have made a valuable contribution and improved the lives of many who had run out of options.  When we look back to those early years, we salute the 1935 members who were the groundbreakers.  Rotary is strong today because they resolved to build a strong club dedicated to Rotary ideals and solid public service.