Our History
How it all began
Reproduced from Rotary Club of Dominica Publication “Ten Plus One, 1984”
In 1972 at its bi-annual council of legislation Rotary International decreed that the Caribbean area would be districted and renamed District 404 in 1974. There were, however, a few peculiarities. Few Dominicans had ever heard about Rotary and Dominica, which like all the other Caribbean states at that time comprised Rotary District Group “0”, was the only state within which a Rotary club was yet to be organised.
Sponsorship of a new club is a necessary pre-requisite by Rotary International and the Rotary Club of St. Kitts. with much persuation from a well-known Dominican businessman sent a delegation to Dominica’ to explore the possibilities for this venture. They came in November 1973; six community service veterans from St. Kitts led by Club President Vincent Morton. Others in the delegation were Dr. Cutie Sebastien’, a surgeon; undertaker Eldred Jenkins; Dr. John Cramer a retired surgeon; Jack Cramer electronics engineer and Attorney General Lee Moore. ‘
A wide cross-section of local businessmen, public service officials and professional people were invited to listen and participate in the Discussions arranged to give an insight into Rotary International and the activities of Rotary the world over. The sessions were long, informative and consistent. The presentations were received with much spontaneous enthusiasm that by the conclusion of the fourth session, committees were established and a Provisional Board of Directors voted into office.
The inaugural meeting, of the Provisional Rotary Club of Dominica was held on 22 November 1973 at the Anchorage Hotel. The Club’s first Board of Directors was comprised as follows:
| President | L. Earle Johnson |
| Vice President | Cecil A. Burton |
| Secretary | John Chambers |
| Treasurer | Foued Issa |
| Sergeant-at-arms | Harry Forbes |
| Directors | Dermot Southwell |
| Arthur C.B. Watty | |
| Louis Gabriel | |
| Waddy A. Astaphan |
10 plus one…..and going strong
Reproduced from Rotary Club of Dominica Publication “Ten Plus One, 1984”
On 1st July 1974 William “Bill” Carter of Birmingham, England, the incumbent president of Rotary International signed the official certificate which granted a Charter to the Rotary Club of Dominica, DOMINICA and accepted this club as a full-fledged member of Rotary International.
But for the twenty-six PROVISIONAL MEMBERS whose signatures had been submitted to Rotary International signifying interest in the movement, Rotary had started some nine months earlier. For indeed the Provisional Rotary Club of Dominica had held its very first formal meeting on 22nd November 1973, at the Asta Hotel in Roseau.
It was therefore by no means accidental that the Charter members of the Rotary Club of Dominica, DOMINICA, unanimously opted to stage their CHARTER CELEBRATIONS closer to the date of their real beginning. The charter members wanted to identify and grow with our new nation; to become an integral part of this new beginning.
Time would be needed to plan a good programme, to invite other clubs from the common district, and to allow for convenient travel arrangements for the official representatives of Rotary International – who would formally present the clubs charter. What better time therefore than during our National Celebrations, the State’s birthday. So, we chose 2nd November 1974. Since then our club has been proudly honoured with the privilege of being official hosts of the Independence Gala on 2nd November each year.
Now we are ten plus one; and looking back through time we not only feel our age but are blessed with the maturity to face our teenage years ahead. Few Rotary Clubs, the world over (and there are 20,665′ can claim the levels of achievement of this club. From the outset this membership set’ out to establish new horizons and to improve the quality of life in Dominica. The challenges were many and some of the tasks beyond the capacity of weaker spirited individuals.
It is no small wonder that in eleven short years the Rotary Club of Dominica has borne effective ‘influence at local, regional and international levels with equal measure so tangibly acknowledged through the awards of Rotary International Citations two years in succession (1982 & 1983) the District Governor’s Award(I982) and’ the Dominica National Medal of Honour (1983).