aking office on July 1st, President Richard C. Hedke called upon Rotarians everywhere to give special emphasis to Rotary’s “unusual opportunities in the rich fields of vocational and international service.” Further funds in the amount of $10,000 allocated for relief of war-affected Rotarians. Translations of Rotary literature into Hindi and Urdu (languages of India) authorized. Coincident with the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in October, Rotary clubs in hundreds of cities observe “United Nations Week. World-wide plan of Rotary Foundation Fellowships announced comprising awards for one year’s advanced study in another country (other than country of student’s residence). Purpose: To give practical aid to potential leaders with qualifications which will equip them to make outstanding contributions to “the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace.” *During the Rotary fiscal year (July 1, 1946-June 30, 1947) 418 new clubs were established in 44 countries. Of these 418 clubs, 70 were re-established clubs in Europe and Asia. 1947 Additional clubs that had been disbanded in Axis-dominated countries are readmitted to membership: in Luxembourg, Malayan Union, Greece, Burma, Hong Kong, Siam, Nether lands Indies, and Trieste. Hardly had the world stepped from the old year into the new, than Rotarians everywhere were shocked to hear of the passing of Founder Paul P. Harris in Chicago (January 27) at the age of 79. He had lived to see his “idea take root, grow and blossom into a great organization with more than 6,000 clubs in more than seventy-five countries, with 300,000 members embracing men of many political and religious beliefs— all within his lifetime. Decisive step taken by the Board of Directors of Rotary International to comply with mandate of the 1938 convention to issue call to clubs throughout world to raise two million dollars for the Rotary Foundation. The response was immediate and gratifying. The Foundation Campaign was on the way! Decision taken to readmit clubs from Italy and duplicate charters are issued by Rotary International; old District 46 (Italy) is reconstituted. Thus Italy becomes first of former Axis countries to be readmitted to the Rotary family of nations. Rotary International named by Economic and Social Council as one of official consultative non-governmental agencies to cooperate with the United Nations in the development of pub- 316 public opinion and the dissemination of information, as provided for by Article 71 of the U.N. Charter.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Sep 2013 05:02:28 +0000