History

The Charter and the official recognition of the Rotary Club of Vancouver, was presented at a luncheon on April 22, 1913. The Roster of the day listed 94 members, a recruiting accomplishment unequalled in our history. There was little doubt that “Vancouver was ready for Rotary”.

20th Century History

In 1988, Ted McRae, Past-President and Paul Harris Fellow, was asked to write a History of the Vancouver Club commemorating its 75th Anniversary. In honour of Ted, his dedication and commitment to the Vancouver Club, the text of his research follows

THE FORMATIVE YEARS 1913-1917

ADVENTURES IN COMMUNITY SERVICE 1918 – 1938

A FIRM HAND ON THE TILLER 1939 – 1963

PEACE – NOT WAR,  BUT SOCIAL CHANGE 1964 – 1988

THE EXPO LANDS

The Rotary Club of Vancouver has had a significant impact on many events in Vancouver, not the least of these was the building of the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre in 1986.  Learn More

ICE CAPADES

The Ice Capades was an important fund raiser for the Rotary Club of Vancouver for many years.  Watch Wilf Wassersleben’s video below:

The first Ice Shows featured local skaters and performers and this format continued until 1951 when an association was arranged with a professional show called the “Ice Cycles”. In the 1960’s the professional show changed its name to the “Ice Capades” and our long running Ice Show continued under this name until the late 1980s. Learn More