History of WOCO

Associations of young men were formed in the 1920s in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. These associations were formed independently of one another. These clubs were:

• Apex Clubs of Australia
• Kinsmen Clubs of Canada
• Round Tables of Great Britain and Ireland
• Active International of the United States and Canada
• 20–30 International of the United States and Canada

Although little was known about each other’s activities, the Associations were all formed with an upper age limit, a common bond, and the aim of fulfilling a similar need. They were established from a desire for young men to foster friendship and uphold the ideals of service and good citizenship. The Associations firmly established themselves in their respective countries, and many began to expand throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Central America.

Over the years, these Associations came to recognize the similarities in their viewpoints and ideals. As a result, they decided that some form of closer liaison should be established between them.

On April 8, 1945, the World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs (WOCO) was formed at a meeting in Chicago, Illinois, United States. This was agreed upon by representatives of Kin, 20–30 International, Active International, Apex, and the National Association of Round Tables of Great Britain and Ireland. The five Associations subsequently ratified the Chicago Resolutions and became the Founder Members.

The second World Council meeting took place in October 1946 in Sacramento, California, United States. It was there that the original constitution was adopted. However, it was not until the third meeting in 1947 in Montreal, Canada, that all Founder Members were represented.

Each Association was represented on the World Council by two appointed delegates. Meetings were held annually until 1950 and thereafter every two years. It soon became apparent that the structure of the World Council would need to be revised, as little could be achieved by so few delegates meeting so infrequently while the Associations were rapidly expanding.

In 1956, the Round Tables of Great Britain and Ireland surrendered its place on the World Council to Round Table International. In the same year, at Jasper, Canada, discussions began on ways and means of altering the framework of the World Council. Delegates at the Malmö Conference in 1959 reached full agreement on a revised constitution, which was adopted in Brighton, England, in 1960.

After two years of discussion, the organizational structure of the Board of Directors was changed in Hong Kong in 1975. At the same time, the qualifications for membership were amended to allow smaller Associations speedier entry as full voting members.