James Wheeler Davidson joined the Rotary Club of Calgary several months after the May 1914 club charter. He had moved to the rapidly growing*1 frontier city of Calgary, Canada, in 1906 and was a successful businessman following an equally successful earlier career as a journalist and diplomat. (*1Calgary, currently 1.2 million+, had a 1906 population of 11,967, growing to 43,700 in 1911, and 63,300 by 1921).
His impact on the growth of Rotary was profound. From his 1919/20 Club Presidency, his RI leadership roles, and his personal interviewing of 2000+ in the process of chartering 32 new Rotary Clubs in 15 countries, great Rotary history was created. Davidson's message of Peace through friendship rings as true now as ever; that important part of his legacy needs special attention in today’s world.
The Rotary Club of Calgary continues to have impressive impact in our community and internationally. The club’s well-endowed Foundation generates steady revenue including a high six-figure share to TRF each year. The Club’s international committee has a strong budget while locally the club collaborates on multi-year legacy projects, annually supports various charities, and provides mentors and bursaries for our stay-in-school program; plus, we have some fun and fellowship along the way!
The Club commissioned a large painting in JWD’s honor for Rotary’s centenary which, since 2006, hangs in the lobby of the Palliser Hotel where club meetings are held (see it in the video2 link below). The initiatives of Madras and Bombay clubs in setting up JWD Groups, the historical work of Dr. Robert Lampard, the four Australia and NZ clubs reaching their 100th in Q2 this year, five here soon and 23 later in the decade, all led us to establish a permanent committee this year to engage with JWD Group Clubs, to celebrate his legacy, and for creating pride, profile and collaborations.
Early in 2021 the Club congratulated the four “down under” clubs on their 100th anniversaries and acknowledged their great “Give Every Child a Future” centennial project with a video2. Our club contributed to that project and a multi-year plan of training of medical staff to tackle cervical cancer in central America and beyond is in full swing. Our history includes many health-related collaborations away and at home such as the Centre for Affordable Water & Sanitation Technologies, CAWST, now impacting millions, and the Rotary-Flames House Children’s Hospice, an amazing facility that is more about family life and vitality than you may think. (*2See https://vimeo.com/529070687/213d5acd40).
The Club has also initiated an annual JWD/Legacy event; a JWD Luncheon is being held on March 1st, 2022. This will become a yearly vehicle to excite Rotarians, celebrate aspects of the legacy, educate our members, enjoy JWD-chartered clubs’ and their great programs being achieved, his message of peace through friendship, or other features as the JWD decade progresses. The Rotary Club of Red Deer, Dr. Robert Lampard’s home club, is having their 100th in 2023. I can envision some celebrations with Dr. Bob, the person who brought JWD to everyone’s attention in this century!
Respectfully submitted, D K Bruce Fenwick, RC of Calgary, PP (2011-12) & JWD/Legacy Committee Chair.
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As requested, here is a summary and website link:
Summary of article by the Rotary Club of Calgary for the 1st edition JWD Groups Newsletter:
Title: Howdy from Calgary - the JWD DECADE has begun!
The Rotary Club of Calgary is proud to be James Wheeler Davidson’s home club, and have established a permanent committee to celebrate his legacy, to engage with JWD Group Clubs, and has initiated an annual JWD/Legacy event. This will become a yearly vehicle to excite Rotarians, celebrate aspects of the legacy, educate our members, enjoy JWD-chartered clubs’ and their great programs being achieved, appreciate his message of peace through friendship, and other features as the JWD decade progresses.
For the Rotary Club of Calgary, referred to locally as the Rotary Club of Calgary (Downtown) go to:
The club home page: https://www.rotaryclubofcalgary.org Drill down for History.
