95 Years

Rotary Club of Shanghai (RCS) was the first Rotary Club to be established in China, chartered in October 1919. The Club operated from 1919 to 1941 and from 1946 to 1949, being forced to cease in 1941 due to war, and in 1949
due to political and legal restrictions.

 

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The Birth of the Rotary Club of Shanghai, 1919

On July 9, 1919, Seattle Rotarian Roger D. Pinneo met with Messrs. J. Petit, W. S. Fleming, A. B. Rosenfeld, J. J. Gorman, and W. L. Johnstone at the Palace Hotel to discuss the possibility of organizing a Rotary Club in Shanghai. (Mr. Pinneo was part of the International Association of Rotary Clubs, and had the authority to organize new clubs.)

 

Two days later, the group met again for further discussion. They were joined by Messrs. R. Buchan, E.H. Dodge, Thos. Sammons, N. L. Downs, E. O. Baker, and F. J. Raven. There had been some doubt regarding the role of the Rotary Club in a club-ridden city like Shanghai. At this meeting, a motion was passed that the RCS would aim to be international in its membership and its objects, dedicated to “international membership for the development of international relations in China.”

 

A third meeting was held on July 19. New attendees included Messrs. T. C. Britton, G. F. Ashley, C. B. Perkins, A. B. Hensler, Carl Crow, N. Peffer, R. W. Gilmore, G. L. Treadwell, and A. H. Jennings. At this meeting, a report on the Committee on Constitutions and By-Laws was read and adopted.

Finally, on July 20, 1919, Mr. Pinneo sent a cable to Chicago that read: “Interotary Chicago: Shanghai organized. Julian Petit Chairman, mailing particulars. Pinneo.” RCS had 35 names on its proposed Charter membership list.

 

The group continued to hold meetings. On July 24, a report by the Committee on Permanent Organization was unanimously adopted, and members elected the Officers and Directors for the Club’s first year: President Julian Petit, Vice-President A. B. Rosenfeld, Secretary E. O. Baker, Treasurer R. Buchan, and Directors Hon. Thos. Sammons, F. J. Raven, and W. L. Johnstone. A final organizational meeting was held on July 31.

 

The Rotary Club of Shanghai was officially chartered on October 1, 1919 as Club #545.When the Club finally received its Charter in January, the Club’s weekly newsletter The Pagoda reported that President Julian Petit held it under his arm as though it were his first child.