A Caribbean Rotary History - May 28, 2007

A little Caribbean Rotary history

Rotary International has been a strong and powerful force in the Caribbean since the late 1950s. The first club chartered in the district was The Rotary Club of St Thomas in 1957, followed by The Rotary Club of St Croix in 1958, and by The Rotary Club of Kingston, Jamaica, in 1959. Rotary International continued to charter non-district clubs; until 1973, there were some 41 clubs with charters.

The Rotary Club of Anguilla was chartered in 1978.

The District 7020 is composed of 68 clubs in 10 different countries or territories (as of July 1, 2006) :

- Anguilla - 1 club
- Bahamas (except Grand Bahama) - 7 clubs
- British Virgin Islands - 2 clubs
- Cayman Islands - 4 clubs
- French West Indies (St-Martin & St-Barthelemy only) - 3 clubs
- Haiti - 15 clubs
- Jamaica - 22 clubs
- Netherland Antilles (Sint-Maarten only) - 2 clubs
- Turks & Caicos - 2 clubs
- U.S. Virgin Islands - 10 clubs

The total Caribbean membership is 2,548 as of January 2004.

Rotary club members are part of a diverse group of professional leaders working to address various community and international service needs. Through community service and other means, Rotary club members help promote peace and understanding throughout the world. Our members are our most important asset. They are the force that allows Rotary to carry out its many humanitarian efforts and achieve its mission.

For more information about Rotary and how you might join us, check the website http://www.rotaryanguilla.org or speak to any local Rotarian. The Rotary Club of Anguilla meets every Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. upstairs at the English Rose.