This account of the New England Rotary Conclave was originally printed in the Norwich Bulletin on Wednesday, September 13, 1922.
Norwich was put on the New England Rotary map Tuesday when the local club conducted the breakfast meeting on the second day of the fall conclave of New England Rotary which is in session at the Griswold hotel at Eastern Point, this week. The whole breakfast meeting as devoted to Norwich and the local club let it be known that The Rose of New England was still doing business at the old stand and doing more of It every day.
The Norwich Rotary club met at the Groton end of the Thames River bridge at 7.15 o’clock just as the morning sun broke through the fog clouds, giving promise of real Rotary fair weather. With about thirty machines carrying the Norwich delegation, which numbered about 100, a parade to the Griswold was made. At the hotel the local Rotarians, in their straw hats, white shirts, blue ties, blue coats and white trousers and shoes, each wearing a blue ribbon arm band on which was “Norwich Rotary” in gold letters, headed by Past President Joseph C. Worth, carrying the American flag and followed by James P. Madden and Frank Welsh bearing the Norwich Rotary banner, marched into the hotel and took possession for the breakfast meeting. Colt’s Armory band, George Mats leader, played for the marching and also rendered selections during the breakfast.
William G. Park, president of the local club, presided at the meeting and also acted as song leader for the meeting. The singing of the Norwich club was very spirited and the meeting proved to be one of the most enjoyable of the many that have been held.
Norwich Rotary Song Makes Hit
One of the pleasing features of the meeting and one that took the meeting by storm was the introduction of the Norwich Rotary song, Rotary Forever, composed by Henry J. La Fontaine, who also wrote the words for the music. The band played the selection through once and then the Norwich club rose and sang It. There was a burst of applause and insistent demands for the author. President Park then presented Mr. La Fontaine who was given a real ovation to which he responded by leading the singing of the song again. Another feature of the morning meeting was the several solos by Frank Broderick of Hartford, soloist of the band. Mr. Broderick’s selections met with the hearty approval of all.
Greeting to Governor
When Gov. Everett J. Lake who is staying at the hotel during the conclave entered the breakfast room he was greeted with “Hall to the Chief,” the diners standing until His Excellency was seated. Songs and solos occupied the rest of the meeting and then adjournment was taken for the business session which was held in the ball room of the hotel.
Business Session
At the business session Judge Robert W. Hill, of Salem, Mass., governor of the Thirty-first district presided. The attendance at the meeting was large and many of the women guests attended. In opening the meeting Judge Hill said that in order to get the most of a Rotary conclave. Rotary must be talked and that was what was going to be done at this session. Delegates come to these conclaves to carry back something to the home club that will benefit and promote Rotary. Mr. Hill read telegrams from Crawford C. McCullough, past International president, and F. W. Peale of the Mexico City club wishing the New England conclave a successful meeting. Mr. Peale is to devote a year of his time in spreading the gospel of Rotary in South America and the West Indies. Charles Lovett of Lynn, past district governor was Introduced to the meeting and said that “It seemed like old times to speak to Rotarians and when I am with Rotarians like this It is the sweetest moments of my life.”
Educating Rotarians
In Introducing the first scheduled speaker of the meeting Judge Hill said that the Salem club owes much to George Ashton, its founder and first president, and that George would speak on “Education of New Members and Old,” a topic that should Interest every true Rotarian. Mr. Ashton was received with enthusiasm and immediately went to the heart of his subject. Education in Rotary is in general neglected, said Mr. Ashton. Many presidents in their zeal to give large programs lose sight of the fundamentals of Rotary that we love. In most clubs there is a talk by a local member on his business or a talk by some outsider on an up-to-the-minute topic. These are fine things and I do not mean to criticize when I say that one meeting every month should be devoted to Rotary education.
We speak continually of attendance, but do not say enough about education in Rotary. When asked about Rotary, what it is and why, we are tongue-tied, that Is a large number of us. A five-minute talk at each meeting on Rotary would do untold good. In order to tell about Rotary we must learn about It. Those who attend conclaves get a knowledge of Rotary, but those who do not are missing something. If more would attend these conclaves you couldn’t get them to stay away.
Many members are brought into through association with other members but they know little about Rotary. The new member should be instructed In Rotary, its fundamentals and what it is doing and what Its aim is. This instruction should also be given to the old member. After a new member has been In a club a short time ask him to read a paper on what Rotary means to him.
He will study Rotary in order to do this and he will benefit by it. There are suggestions that I would make. First, have an eloquent speaker give a charge to the new member; second, have weekly talks on Rotary: third, have an All-Rotary meeting once a month; fourth, have a space in your weekly publication devoted to educational Rotary; fifth, when In doubt, talk Rotary.
Following Mr. Ashton’s talk there was discussion of the subject and many thoughts were expressed by Donald A. Adams of New Haven, George Cooper of Fitchburg, William Bamburgh of Boston and other. Mr. Bamburgh who has been actively engaged in visiting various Rotary clubs in the East told of what various clubs are doing along the educational lines in Rotary. Frank Chapman of Providence and Harry Stetson of Bath, Me., also spoke of many ways in which Rotary was taught in their clubs either by word or action.
Boys’ Work Programme
A very interesting address on Boys’ Work Programme was given by Fred J. Dawless of New Haven. Mr. Dawless has been actively engaged in boys’ work with the New Haven club for several years and was well qualified to speak on this important part of the Rotary program. The problem of what to do for the boy Is one of the biggest things in Rotary and presents a large subject. There are many things that an organization has to contend with in Its work with the boys. One is the influence of the older man whose influence Is not always of the best. There are many other things that have to be combatted that will take careful study. First, find a common ground on which to. approach the boy on, a subject that he is interested in and then start to build. Various organizations that are engaged In boys’ work should get together so that plans will not be duplicated. As a Rotary club put on a Boys’ Week, take the boys to camp. There is no place like’ camp where a boy can be molded into a right-thinking lad. Keep on with the “back-to-school” movement, see that the boys get good reading and In many other ways help the boys to grow into better men.
Fred Kaulbach of Maiden, Mass., spoke of the work that is being done for boys in Malden and how a field day was planned and carried out with great success and how money is being raised for a camp for boys. Dr. Blair of Lynn, spoke of the magnificent camp that Is sponsored by the Lynn club where over 200 boys are given the benefit of play and education in the open. Others from various clubs in New England spoke on what their clubs are doing for the boy.
Read Paper on Attendance
Stimulus of Attendance and Why was the subject of a short paper by Daniel F Sullivan of Fall River. The matter of attendance is important with every club and It is absolutely necessary to be productive of good Rotarians. Next to the spirit of fellowship comes attendance and attendance has been talked so much that it might well become the password. The figures on attendance at district headquarters and international headquarters act as guide posts to the various clubs. They show up the slacker. Many have the idea that Rotary is strictly social but this is not the case. While there are social features at times the underlying thought of Rotary in service, and fellowship. If you do not attend the meetings there is a lack of fellowship and there is also a lack of cooperation between Rotary and yourself, the community and the club. The meetings should be made interesting and notices sent out should be attractive. The meeting should appeal to the senses, good food for the taste, good music for the hearing and the hearty handclasp of fellowship for the sense of touch. You can not get anything out of Rotary unless you attend Rotary meetings. Rotary is doing you a service a service In showing you the way to serve. When you realize this and get Rotary you will need no other stimulus.
Who For New Members?
John P. Deerlng of the Biddeford-Saco club made a brief talk on the Qualification of New Members saying that these are three, physical, mental and moral. First, a man must present himself at the meetings of the Rotary club at every luncheon, take part In activities and do the physical duties that are called for. The mental and moral qualifications are that he shall exemplify the meaning of “Service Above Self” and when he has this, he is a good Rotarian. He may perform his physical duties well but he must have more. He must have the spirit of helpfulness to the community and to his fellow man. He must have the happiness of the community at heart and he can not have It without having the spirit of service instilled In his soul.
Problems of Secretaries
George E. Tucker, secretary of the Hartford club, gave a very Interesting talk on Secretaries’ Problems. Mr. Tucker said that he had been given only ten minutes to talk and if any one could tell the problems that the secretary has In ten minutes he was not human but divine. Just a few of the problems the secretary has is the matter of qualifications, program for meetings, boys’ work, protecting the club against those that have some scheme to boost, seeing that the lunches satisfy, listening to suggestions that the by-laws be changed, taking care of the correspondence, dues, bills, telephone calls, publication writing, drafting resolutions and a few more duties. The secretarial duties are heavy but it is a question where the president’s duties and the secretarial duties diverge. The secretary must be familiar with the constitution and by-laws and if the layman would also learn them It would save endless questions. But with all our duties there is that enthusiasm that comes to us through the knowledge that we serve and the more we know about Rotary, the more we like it.
Interesting Debate
Following Mr. Tucker’s talk there was a debate on the subject “A One-Man Rotary club,” by Herbert E. Dodge of Fall River and Herbert A. Stevens of Providence and it was difficult to tell just where the debate came In or what a “one-man club” was both speakers agree on practically everything.
Mr. Dodge presented his argument, first saying that there was no such thing as a one-man club We all agree on the fundamentals of Rotary but how far a club goes depends largely on the leadership. The leaders must exemplify that motto. In business or professional life we must have the goods and deliver them but also a little must be given extra. We should always be prepared to deliver service when asked. We must have that desire to help others. The leadership must come down from the officers and they must be on the job day and night. One of the great problems in attendance is that officers do not put enough thought back of their meetings. It Is up to the officers to see that the club is being a success. They must sit down and study out who is best for committees and there surely are a lot of paper committees. If the officers pick the right men then the committees will function properly. The officers must determine the moral standard of the club for the club is judged by the officers. The officers should permit nothing offensive or suggestive to enter the tone of the meetings. The officers must stand for law enforcement. If they do not, who will? We must set high standards especially in regards to prohibition. The officer are going to set the pace in the exemplification of the Golden Rule. Every club has a lot of fair weather Rotarians whose Rotary is only skin deep and who in reverse times forget the rule. The officers must be efficient in order to make the club worth while.
Mr. Stevens in presenting his side of the debate said that he heartily agreed with everything that Mr. Dodge had said. This was supposed to have been my subject but he has sidetracked me, but he sure did get down to the hardpan of club management. He has given up the idea that the officers are everything in a club.
Where is the every day in Rotarian on this? It is always the officer. The layman is heard from very little. Why don’t you get up and holler? I swear that the everyday Rotarian does the work every day in the year. Harry would give us to believe that the layman sat out in the ante room and swung his heels while the officers fortified by the directors controlled the destiny of the club. I believe In the strength of numbers. In any club, there must be leadership but I believe that comes up rather than comes down. Officers are elected and come up from the ranks of the everyday Rotarian. Rotary Is no better than the men that compose its membership. We must have good officers of course, as well as good members. If we would progress. No club is a success It dominated by Its officers and we must have cooperation or fall. I wonder why you come to the conclaves; It Is not to have a holiday and you need no urging. You are here because Rotary means something ta you. You are getting something out of It that will help you. I believe In the individual going ahead and not depending on the officers to point the way. The work of the officers and the committees is different. The work of the committees covers a larger field and do more work. I am not opposed to anything Harry has said and there is no one-man club. I believe the everyday Rotarian should know the work in Rotary and then many stumbling blocks will be eliminated and Rotary will be nearer the Ideal that It stands for.
The debate concluded the business session with the exception of a word of praise from District Governor Hill complimenting J. William Clarke, secretary of the New London club on the success of the conclave. It was also voted to send a telegram of sympathy to Bernard Saxton of the Brockton club who has Just lost his father.
Women Play Golf
At 10 a. m. the reception for the ladies was held at the Shenecossett Country club, where over 50 women competed for the prize offered In the putting contests, held in the green near the club house, and in clock golf.
Many other who preferred to play over this beautiful 18-hold course started out in two-somes and four-somes, playing for individual honors.
The reception of the ladies was in charge of Mrs. Dudley St. C. Donnelly, Mrs. J. P. Taylor Armstrong, and Mrs. Theodore Bodenwein, and was greatly enjoyed by the “Rotariannas” attending the conclave with their husbands.
The noon luncheon was in charge of the Bridgeport club and was a lively affair, many a lively Rotary song, mixed in with stunts filling the luncheon hour. One of the feature events came during the luncheon when nearly fifty “witches,” all hailing from Salem, Mass., representing the Salem Rotary club marched in to the tune of Salem songs, and paraded about the dining hall.
Sail the Sound
Rain fell during the afternoon, but Rotarians in conclave failed, to be down-hearted by the downpour and the sail scheduled on the palatial steamboat “Providence” of the Fall River line was carried out. About 700 enjoyed the sail down the coast of this grand old state as far as Saybrook and return. Everything on the boat belonged to the Rotarians, and as Strickland Gillilan said, “they ate that stuff.” During the entire two hour sail the Second Governor s Foot-guard band of New Haven rendered selections, and at the request of Rotary song leaders felt Into the spirit of the occasion and played song after song, the hundreds on board gathering about to enjoy those fine old Rotary songs. The weather which had been threatening during the early part of the trip cleared when the boat was far out and there came in to view the many islands off the mainland, and the visiting Rotarians had an opportunity to see many of these islands which played and still play a big part in the history of the nation and our state.
Salem Man In Charge
The dinner meeting was in charge of District Governor Robert (Bob) W. Hill of Salem, Mass.. head of the 21st district. All Rotarians entered into the spirit of the meeting and throughout the dinner plenty of “pep” was distributed the large dining hall by songs, cheers, or stunts by many of the 42 New England clubs represented at the conclave.
The first speaking of the evening came when Governor Hill spoke briefly of the part the Boston club had played in New England Rotary history, as in 1918 a body of men from that city started off the Salem club, which resulted in Bob’s becoming a Rotarian and now district governor.
The singing of the meeting was led by F. B. (Doc) Carleton of the Boston Rotary club and was the best of any evening session. “Sweet Adeline” with all its “barber shop chords” and “false echoes” was the favorite with the Rotarians.
Greetings from England
A cablegram was read from John Turner, third vice president of Rotary International, containing the following message:
Greetings to New England Rotarians from Plymouth, England, Plymouth, Mass., London, England; New London, U. S. A.
All Rotarians, brothers all, wish you success In your conclave.
New England as Whiter Resort
Boosting New England as a winter resort was then talked on and the plan of Paul Harris, who founded Rotary in Chicago, shown as the father of that which will make New England the home of winter sports. Besides the dividends in health and exercise, these sports will mean revenue for New England and when It Is considered that $120,000,000 was spent by tourists In the past summer, It seems worthwhile to boost winter touring In New England. This can only be brought about by starting winter sports in various sections of New England and it is a job for Rotary to put the thing over. Every club in New England should put on a winter carnival.
Norwich Wins Attendance Cup
Governor Hill then introduced Herbert (Herb) Wilson, international director, the last district governor of District 2 of all New England clubs, who explained that at the conclusion of his term in office he decided to give a cup to the club in each of the three divisions, whose attendance record for the past year was the best. These cups were silver loving cups, standing a foot in height and were won by Lynn. Mass.. in division A; by Norwich, Conn., In division B, and by Nashua, N.H In division C. The cups were presented to the presidents of the three leading clubs each of whom responded with a speech expressing thanks to “Herb” and expressing the desire to see all New England clubs boost during the coming year, to give them some competition in attendance.
Governor Hill then introduced as the speaker of the evening Joseph A. Turner, of Virginia, chairman of the international committee on rotary education and past district governor of District 7.
Virginia Rotarian Speaks
In opening his remarks “Joe” said that his trip here, today has boosted his regard for New England and it people, and he really believed they were just as good as those In his own state, that being some compliment.
His talk In part was as follow: In starting my talk on Rotary Education let me quote this brief saying a fine Rotarian. “If you want to get enthusiastic about anything you must first get the spirit of it. that’s Rotary.” Rotary differs from other things, he said. Some are born with the Rotary spirit, some acquire it during their life, but no one ever had it thrust upon him. Rotary is an Idea and to get it right you must hear it talked about, then digest it In your own way and make it yours.
The highest problem Rotary face today la the classification problem. There is a tendency to sub-divide too much. This must be avoided particularly by the younger clubs. An easy way to classify is told In the poem entitled “Either You Is, or You Ain’t.” Either you is a Rotarian or you ain’t You can’t be half is and half ain’t, neither can you be half ain’t and half is, you either Is a Rotarian or you ain’t.”
Remember that when you become a Rotarian, Rotary simply loaned to you a classification and It you cant fill then step out and let someone in who can. Secretaries of clubs will do well to remember this little verse when they notice a member who seems to be a half “is’er” and half “aint’er.” “Your foot is slipping, and so is our attendance. It Is our attendance, is It your foot.”
Rotary believes in boys’ work and every Rotarian, if he is a father or not should look to the boy, teach him the things you want him to know, remember that a word of advice here and a little sympathy and guidance there oftentimes decides for the boy what he will be when a man. By your own action show that boy what he might bo when he is a man. He needs your support, and you should give it; that’s Rotary. Many a boy and man, too, has been made the success he Is by someone paying attention when he first steps out. Show the fellow making his first try that you are Interested in him. encourage him and he will be a success: that’s Rotary.
Rotary Is the application of every day principles of life, as old as man. Help the other fellow, pass out your ideas. If they’re good they’ll stick. If poor you’ll hear of It first, but keep on trying. This is what makes a Rotarian. and if you can’t fill the bill step out and let someone in who will. On an old bridge in the Balkans constructed by the Romans us the inscription. “Others gone before have built the road, we, too must build a way”; that’s Rotary, and it’s as old as man. Be like the pagan who said. “I am a Man and all that touches Man touches me.” You can do it. Don’t duck out and say, “They should do It.” say “We should do It,” and then do It. Don’t expect praise, a Rotarian should consume his own smoke. Remember that the steam that blows the whistle does not make any machinery go. Remember everything that we give away we get back, paid back a thousand fold, that’s Rotary.
The keynote of the committee on education is not to show you or boss you. It’s to try to get you to express Rotary, make you think Rotary, study it, and live it until it becomes a part of you and a part of It. Rotary is an active association and you must be active to get the best out of it. Remember that if you lose your active line you lose interest and you expel yourself from Rotary, the club doesn’t expel you? Serve others’ needs in word, thought and deed, that’s Rotary, you must give Rotary in order to get It, Rotary’s like vaccination, either it takes or it don’t. “Either you is a Rotarian or you ain’t.”
Give Rotary to get It, that’s Rotary, do a kind act for your fellow man, make him just a little more happy, it’s making you happy too, just seeing him happy. A kind act, a friendly smile, a little help, all within your power, easy to do and you can do it. That’s Rotary.
Following the talk by “Joe.” a brief speech was made by his booster. Mrs. “oe” Mary Tunrner who spoke for the ladies Interested in Rotary saying that they too could take hold as Rotary affords them a great opportunity for service.
Governor’s Ball
Following the evening meeting the conclave “Governor’s Ball” was held in the ball room, in charge of “Jim” Hammond of the New London Rotary club. Dancing was enjoyed until late into the morning which time feature stunts were put on by the Whaling City Rotarians.
Will Pass Through Norwich
The meeting of Wednesday begins with a breakfast at 7:30 a. m. in charge of the Worcester, Mass., Rotarians, followed by an automobile tour of the Military Highway, submarine base Norwich, New London and Ocean Beach. The trip begins at 9.30 o’clock and upon arrival in Norwich the tourists will pass up Broadway, around the Norwich Town green, and back down Washington Street, and back to New London, on the west side of the Thames. Norwich people are asked to display the national colors and show the visiting New England Rotarians a hearty welcome.
The afternoon session Includes many entertaining features, the evening program then looked to. “All Rotary Vaudeville, of 11 distinct acts.”