Wiki Category: Histories

History of Round Table in Central Africa

The following is a history of Round Table in Central Africa based on the records of the ARTCA Handbook, as written by James Winters, from Selebi-Phikwe, Botswana, in May of 1996.

The original Handbook can be found here: RT — Artca Handbook 1996

Origins of Round Table in Central Africa

It was in April 1952 that Robbie Fisher Robson and Cammie Freer met in Salisbury to discuss the possible formation of Round Table. Robbie had been a member of Portsmouth and Southsea Round Table No. 2 (R.T.B.I) (RTBI 2 Portsmouth & Southsea) since 1946 and it was some time later that these two, with others, decided to establish the first Round Table in Salisbury.

Founding of Salisbury Round Table No. 1

On 17th November of that year at the Norfolk Hotel in Salisbury, an acting Council of the first Salisbury Round Table was formed, and amongst other things, those present agreed that the Inaugural Meeting of Salisbury Round Table would be held on the 10th December 1951; that they would be affiliated with R.T.B.I.; that the Table would be named Salisbury Round Table No. 1 of the Association of Round Tables in Central Africa, and that subscriptions would be two pounds and two shillings per annum, with an entry fee of 10s 6d for all members. At the Inaugural meeting, Robbie was elected Chairman, and the evening was graced with the attendance and main address by J. R. B. Dendy Young, Q.C. M.P. So it was on the 10th December 1952 that the Round Table Movement was launched in Southern Rhodesia.

Early Expansion in Southern Rhodesia

It was not long before Robbie Robson and Cammie Freer set their sights on extending to other centres in Southern Rhodesia and fortuitously, it was discovered that another ex-member of Portsmouth and Southsea Round Table No. 2 was living in Gwelo. Derek Barnes had set about laying the groundwork for the formation of Round Table in that centre and, with their assistance, launched the inauguration of another Table on 18th April 1953. Prior to this, however, the first informal meeting of Bulawayo Round Table No. 3 took place on 30th March 1953.

Formation of A.R.T.C.A.

Even before their own Inaugural Dinner, Gwelo Tablers traveled to Bulawayo, 102 miles away, to attend the first informal meeting of that Table. In April 1953, a Table in Umtali was being formed. On 6th July 1953, the first meeting of the Umtali Round Table was held. Bulawayo No. 3 held its Inaugural Meeting on 16th May 1953. By May 1953, barely five months after Salisbury No. 1, three Tables existed. On 13th June 1953, at the Round Table International AGM in Brussels, it was agreed that its President should attend the Charter Meeting of Salisbury No. 1 and be present at the planned formation of a national association. Hubert Pratt, RTI President, came to Africa and on 8th August 1953, Salisbury No. 1 was chartered. The next day, the first ARTCA Conference was held and Robbie Robson was elected as the first President.

Adoption of the Zimbabwe Bird Badge

Initially, Tablers used the RTBI badge, but a proposal to incorporate the Zimbabwe Bird was accepted. In July 1954, ARTCA adopted a new badge design featuring a white Zimbabwe Bird on a green background.

Continued Expansion: Late 1953–1954

Extension efforts continued. Gwelo No. 2 helped establish Que Que; Rusape Table was formed in October 1953 due to Eric Bennett’s efforts. David Smith, founder of ARTSA, had previously tried to start a Table in Southern Rhodesia in 1950. Salisbury No. 1 received its Charter Certificate on 31st October 1953. Charter Dinners for Gwelo and Bulawayo followed.

The First A.R.T.C.A. Convention

The first AGM of Salisbury No. 1 in August 1953 proposed a Chair of Race Relations at the University of Rhodesia. It took ten years to establish and was formally accepted in 1963. The first ARTCA Convention was held in Umtali from 10–12 July 1954, where Cammie Freer was appointed President.

Growth in Northern Rhodesia

Extension reached Northern Rhodesia. Lusaka’s Table was inaugurated in August 1954. Kitwe and Ndola followed. Hubert Pratt presided over multiple inaugurations. By the end of 1954, ARTCA had 6 chartered Tables in Southern Rhodesia and 3 in Northern Rhodesia.

Key Milestones of 1955

Lusaka and Kitwe received Charters. A proposal for a Ladies Circle arose but did not gain traction in ARTCA. The Convention Cup (Featherstone Trophy) was introduced. Bulawayo extended to Livingstone.

Extension into New Regions (1956–1958)

Tables were formed in Fort Victoria, Marandellas, Mufulira, Broken Hill, Chingola, Gatooma, and Sinoia. Life Honorary Memberships were granted to Robbie Robson and Cammie Freer. Chilanga Table was formed but later dissolved.

Recognizing Founders and Legacy Projects

In 1961, following changes to Round Table International, ARTCA was allowed to grant Life Honorary Membership. The Pelides Rose Bowl was introduced for the best Table newsletter.

The Pelides Rose Bowl and Historical Documentation

A.R.T.C.A. began compiling its history, initially a 10-year project which became a 25-year record. Discussions on establishing an area system began.

Extension and Challenges (1959–1960)

Bulawayo extended to Gwanda. Sinoia requested ARTCA remain a European social club, which was rejected. ARTCA adopted multiracial membership. Sinoia Table was dissolved. Blantyre-Limbe Table was formed in Nyasaland.

A.R.T.C.A. Becomes Truly Multinational

Tables were formed in Shabani, Kalulushi, Lowveld, Gaborone (Botswana), Usutu (Swaziland), Beira, Lourenco Marques (Mozambique), Mbabane (Swaziland), and Lilongwe (Malawi). Chililabombwe (Zambia) also formed.

Continued Growth Through the 1960s–1970s

New Tables formed in Wankie, Hartley, Chipinga, Bulawayo, Salisbury, Karoi, Mangula, Bindura, Victoria Falls, Maseru (Lesotho), Lusaka, Manzini, Francistown, Mongu, and others. Many eventually became inactive.

Slowing Pace and Final Expansion (1980s–1990s)

The 1980s saw slower expansion with Tables in Orapa, Jwaneng (Botswana), Maputo (Mozambique), and a second Table in Gaborone. Zimbabwean Tables underwent name changes post-independence in 1980.

The Area System

The Area system was introduced in 1969 and formalized in 1971. There was no particular geographical grouping in order to avoid a certain amount of parochialism. Zambia left ARTCA in 1974, forming its own Association. Thus the areas within ARTCA looked like this:

    • Area 1- Two Tables within Bulawayo and Tables in the west and south of Zimbabwe.
    • RTBI Area 3: Two tables within Harare, Tables in the east of Zimbabwe and in Malawi.
    • RTBI Area 4: The remaining two Tables in Harare and Tables to the north of Salisbury.
    • RTBI Area 6: Tables within Swaziland and Mozambique.
    • RTBI Area 8: Tables in Botswana.

History of RT Bulgaria (RTBU)

The following is a brief history of the early years of Round Table Bulgaria.

Round Table life in Bulgaria began in October 1993, when Tablers from around the world gathered to celebrate the chartering of RT 1 Sofia. The mother table was RT 67 Antwerp, Belgium.

Among the distinguished international guests were Harry McNamara (International Officer of RTBI), Mike Roberts (Immediate Past IRO), and Manny “BMW” Pattinson (General Secretary of RTI).

The chartering ceremony took place at the Palace of Culture during the weekend of 1–3 October 1993. Harry McNamara presented a block and gavel to the new Bulgarian Table. The gala dinner celebrations extended into Sunday morning, concluding with a farewell brunch, where RTBI famously served the iconic BMWs cocktail—a mix of Baileys, Malibu, and Whiskey.

Less than a year later, in September 1994, the second Bulgarian table, RT 2 Bourgas, was chartered. Bourgas, a coastal city about 250 miles from Sofia, welcomed international guests who were first flown into Sofia and then driven to the charter location by Bulgarian Tablers. The weekend featured a welcome party, a Saturday excursion to a nearby resort, and the official charter ceremony held at the State Gallery of Bourgas, followed by a gala dinner that once again lasted into the early hours. The event was marked by genuine friendship and hospitality from the members of both Bulgarian Tables.

In 1996, RT Bulgaria became an associate member of WOCO.

Next came RT 3 Plovdiv, chartered on 6 February 1999 by RT 67 Brussels International, with an initial group of 13 members. George Anastasov served as the first chairman. Since its inception, the table has actively promoted the ideas and principles of Round Table.

From 12–14 April 2002, the charter ceremony for RT Bulgaria took place during the national AGM, with RT Netherlands as the mother association.

RT 4 Plovdiv was chartered on 1 November 2003, emerging from one of the major charity initiatives of RT 3 Plovdiv. Since 1999, RT 3 Plovdiv has supported capable young people in the city by awarding annual scholarships across all six local universities.

The club’s main goal is to expand this scholarship program. The first charity party aimed at raising additional scholarship funds was held in 2001, where foreign guests joined the cause. The project’s goal went beyond recognizing talented students; it also sought to empower and advance their future development. Many of these scholarship recipients later formed the foundation of RT 4 Plovdiv.

In the autumn of 2013, twenty years after Round Table began in Bulgaria—and inspired by the EMATM event in Plovdiv a year prior—four men from Varna began meeting with the dream of establishing a table in Bulgaria’s summer capital. With the guidance and support of RT 3 Plovdiv, they embarked on their journey.

Twelve months later, their efforts bore fruit with the chartering of RT 5 Varna on 18 October 2014, with RT 6 Forlì, Italy serving as the Godfather table.

Since then, many events have taken place, countless social initiatives have been completed, and—most importantly—lifelong friendships and fellowship have been created through the spirit of Round Table in Bulgaria.

Former WOCO Officers

 

Past Board Members

WOCO Chairman

WOCO as a Foundation

  • 2023–2024
  • 2022–2023
  • 2021–2022
  • 2020–2021
  • 2019–2020
  • 2018–2019
  • 2017–2018
  • 2016–2017 — Vineet Parikh, RT India
  • 2015–2016 — Vineet Parikh, RT India (two-year term)
  • 2014–2015 — Vineet Parikh, RT India
  • 2013–2014 — Vineet Parikh, RT India (two-year term)
  • 2012–2013
  • 2011–2012
  • 2010–2011
  • 2009–2010
  • 2008–2009
  • 2007–2008
  • 2006–2007
  • 2005–2006
WOCO President

WOCO as an Umbrella Organisation of which RTI formed a part of. 

  • 2004–2005 - Stephan Dorfmeister RT Austria
  • 2003–2004 - Stephan Dorfmeister RT Austria
  • 2002–2003 - Vagish Dixit, RT India
  • 2001–2002 - Vagish Dixit, RT India (two-year term)
  • 2000–2001 - Shane Kelly, APEX
  • 1999–2000 — Shane Kelly, APEX (two-year term)
  • 1998–1999
  • 1997–1998
  • 1996–1997
  • 1995–1996
  • 1994–1995
  • 1993–1994
  • 1992–1993
  • 1991–1992

1991 RTI  is reformed. 

WOCO International President

Round Table Associations were direct members of WOCO. 

  • 1990–1991
  • 1989–1990
  • 1988–1989
  • 1987–1988 — Alain Huchon (TBC), RT France
  • 1986–1987
  • 1985–1986
  • 1984–1985
  • 1983–1984 — Joseph Zammit-Tabona, RT Malta
  • 1982–1983 — Monico Puntavuella (TBC)
  • 1981–1982 — 
  • 1980–1981 — 
  • 1979–1980 — Bob Chandran🔗, RT India
  • 1978–1979 — 
  • 1977–1978 — 
  • 1976–1977 — Alan Barrable, RTSA
  • 1975–1976 — Bernhard Langhammer, RT Germany
  • 1974–1975 — Deepak Banker, RT India
  • 1973–1974 — Bob Stumbles, RT Central Africa
  • 1972–1973 — Jacques Wolfe, RT Belgium
  • 1971–1972 — Paul Perry, RTBI
  • 1970–1971 — Arrie Oberholzer, RTSA
  • 1969–1970 — Andy Chande, RT Eastern Africa
  • 1968–1969 — Dick Clampett, APEX
  • 1967–1968 — Wil Klein, KIN
  • 1966–1967 — Gordon Hill, RTBI
  • 1965–1966 — Ludwig Horatz, RT Germany
  • 1964–1965 — John Kirkpatrick, RTSA
  • 1963–1964 — Kai Erik Berg, RT Denmark
  • 1962–1963 — John Stokes, APEX
  • 1961–1962 — Dick Miller, KIN

1961 RTI  is formally closed, and its members became direct members of WOCO

WOCO President
  • 1960–1961 — Peter Myers, RTBI
  • 1959–1960 — Jack Fleishman, 20–30 International
  • 1958–1959 — Pete Garnsey, APEX
  • 1957–1958 — Walter Heinz, RT International
  • 1956–1957 — Walter Heinz, RT International (two-year term)
  • 1955–1956 — George L. Graziadia Jr., 20–30 International
  • 1954–1955 — George L. Graziadia Jr., 20–30 International (two-year term)
  • 1953–1954 — Syd. W. Welsh, APEX
  • 1952–1953 — Syd. W. Welsh, APEX (two-year term)
  • 1951–1952 — Beven Rutt, APEX
  • 1950–1951 — Beven Rutt, APEX (two-year term)
  • 1949–1950 — Ben Woolfenden, RTBI
  • 1948–1949 — Langdon Parsons, APEX
  • 1947–1947 — „Buzz“ Nelson, 20–30 International
  • 1946–1947 — Arnold Scheldt, Active International
  • 1945–1946 — Don Forrest, KIN

Round Table during World War 2

Article is still at draft stage

 

Despite the constraints of World War 2, Round Table continued to expand, particularly in Denmark, while activity in the British Isles was limited. Post-war, Round Table experienced a resurgence, with new chapters chartered across the UK and beyond.

The Establishment of Round Table in Denmark

Round Table Denmark was the first Round Table organization to be set up beyond the shores of Great Britain and Ireland. This was an important step in testing the appeal of the idea and adapting the movement to different cultures while setting the stage for even more expansion. Tabling in Denmark has existed there since it was first introduced, making the story of how it was founded a key part of the foundation of Round Table as an international movement.

Two Concurrent Initiatives

The idea for a Round Table club in Denmark arose in two places concurrently—partly in Aarhus and partly in Copenhagen—where it had been brought back from England by sons of Rotarians.
In both cases, the club was helped into existence with the intervention of Rotary. In 1935, the Rotary Club of Copenhagen set up a committee consisting of Dr. Ivan Jantzen, shipowner Willie C.K. Hansen, manufacturer J.C. Hempel, director Børge Bülow-Jacobsen, and wholesaler Bent Olsen, with the task of investigating whether it was possible to start Round Table in Denmark. They got in touch with Marchesi, who at that time was the chairman of the English national organization. He arranged for the vice-chairman of Round Table London, Geoffrey Higgins, to meet with the Rotary committee during a visit to Copenhagen at the end of 1935. At an orientation meeting, the committee was introduced to the principles of Round Table and the organization’s operational methods, and they were provided with a set of English rules.
With a few changes, the materials provided became the basis for the founding of Round Table Copenhagen. The club was founded on March 5, 1936, with 15 members, and with Mogens Lichtenberg as chairman and Bülow-Jacobsen as vice-chairman.
On February 21, 1939, Round Table Aarhus was founded by Aarhus Rotary. The initiative had been taken by postmaster Emborg, director Vagn Olsen, and engineer Haderup, after postmaster Emborg’s son, Erik Emborg, had been a guest member in England. The next step in the development of RT in Denmark was the debate about the establishment of a coordinating body in the form of a national board for Round Table Denmark.

National Association

In June 1940, the first concrete proposals for this national board’s operation were presented. According to these, the formation of new RT clubs would take place in accordance with the laws of Round Table Denmark (RTDK) and with RTDK’s approval. The national board was also tasked with promoting cooperation between the Round Table clubs in Denmark. At a general assembly on October 4, 1940, a national board for RTDK was established, and Børge Bülow-Jacobsen became the first national chairman from 1942 to 1944. The war was, of course, a difficult period for Round Table as well, but despite the difficulties, the number of clubs increased so that by the end of the war there were seven clubs. After the war, development accelerated, and Erik Emborg’s efforts to spread the idea must be particularly noted. In recognition of this contribution, Erik Emborg became RTDK’s first honorary member in 1958.

Continued Growth

From Denmark, the RT idea spread to Sweden, where the first club was founded in Helsingborg in 1943, and RTDK has actively contributed to the founding of Round Table in Norway, Finland, Germany, Canada and Czech Republic. Emblem of the Immediate Past President is the original first emblem donated to RTD by RTB&I. The rondel of RTD was the first rondel of all Round Table associations in the world that doesn’t have the king at the top. Instead, it has three waves which symbolizes the three seas around Denmark.

Today Round Table Denmark has around 2.400 members and 137 clubs, spanning across 8 areas covering the whole Kingdom of Denmark, with clubs in Greenland (RT112 Nuuk) and the Faroe Islands (RT136 Tórshavn).

Created by Jonas Midstrup 

Sources:

Origin of Side by Side

For decades, Ladies Circle was considered to play second fiddle to Round Table. Many clubs consisted of wives of Tablers, with their agendas mostly following the agenda set by men.

As Ladies Circle matured, the organisation not only aspired for autonomy, but to be considered on equal footing with Round Table. From 1999 onwards, multiple approaches were taken to create an understanding with no concrete conclusions. This was due to inconsistent board agendas, limited budgets to meet up, and difficulty in communication.

This item became a central focus for LCI President (2004/2005) Elena Charalambides, who insisted that the two organisations work in collaboration, and not one in front of the other. Discussions were started between Elena and RTI President Tom Albrigsten on how to formalise this understanding, with Tom expressing “…we can learn a lot from the ladies”. This was the origin of Side by Side.

Memorandum of Understanding

This belief carried on the following year, with the next step being the formalising of the agreement with a Memorandum of Understanding. This MoU between Round Table International🔗 and Ladies Circle International was signed on 15th April 2006 in Livingstone, Zambia. The signatories were Simon Cusens (RT Malta) and Sylvia Mwansa (LC Zambia). One copy of the certificate is located at Dar il-Mejda.

Side note: During the same event, the RTI President was able to collect his chains of office, which had been left unattended next to a swimming pool at the previous ARTSA. As part of the penalty resulted in copies of the RTI Directory for the Round Table Africa Region were sponsored, including their postage requirements.

RTI doubled down on this commitment by adding the following item to the Aims and Objectives (at the time known as Aims and Objects):

To initiate, develop and improve working relationships with Club 41 International, Ladies Circle International for fellowship, networking and Joint Service objectives.

This made it the obligation of the RTI President of every subsequent Board to make it part of his agenda to reach out and reinforce this relationship. Later on, RTI would add Tangent Club International and Agora Club International to this item.

The name “Side by Side”

The term “Side by Side” came out of a discussion between representatives of the two organisations in Nicosia, Cyprus. A logo inspired by a Yin-Yang design was chosen.

Side by Side pin

As part of the new understanding, a Side by Side pin was created. All the proceeds generated by RTI from the sale of these pins, was donated to and LCI service project. This project was led by LC Denmark, and involved an orphanage in Nepal.

Written by Christopher Mintoff
With input from Simon Cusens, Patrick Morganti, Moffat Nyirenda, Tom Albrigtsen, Rikus Badenhorst, 
The first version of this article was published on 15th April 2025; the 19th Anniversary of the signing of the MOU.

WOCO Film Library

Histories
Topics: WOCO, films, several associations,
Period: 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

The tools we have in today’s digital era, make it difficult to imagine a reality where instant messages were not the norm. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s (possibly longer but we don’t have clarification), the World Council of Service Clubs (WOCO) hosted a World Council Film Library, which containted promotional materials and documentaries about projects carried out my members of WOCO, including Round Table clubs. These films were recorded on 8mm or 16mm film, in black and white or in colour. Associations could formally request to loan these films, which were then delivered all over the world. Once the loan period lapsed, the films were to be sent forward, or returned to the library.

The library seems to have been operated from the WOCO Secretariat, located in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. While the films themselves seem to have been lost to time, the correspondance that has been unearthed thanks to the RT Digital Archiving Initiative allows us to get a glimpse of the activities carried out in that era, as well as an insight into how correspondance was carried out back then.

Letters were found, where parties dicuss the availbilities of the movies, as well as the logistics involved in postage for such heavy materials. It seems that the library held and loaned out a single original copy of these films, resulting in quite a bit of correspondance where requests are made for films that have not yet been returned.

Associations were required to fill in a form called “Application for Loan of a Film”, which included conditions of use, and was to be personally signed by the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer or International Relations Officer. Some of these videos were accompanied with a script outlining the duration of scenes, their content and any words spoken.

A faxed letter included a list of available films from the library:

THE FILMS AVAILABLE:

1. A Village is Born – The Hong Kong RT film on their village scheme.
16mm/colour/magnetic sound/20 minutes approximately.

2. Heritage – The film from ARTEA describing the East African states and the wildlife and illustrating some of the inter-Club Service Programme Schemes being run by Tables in ARTEA.
16mm/colour/optical sound/25 minutes approximately.

3. The Founder – An interview with the Founder of the Kinsmen Clubs of Canada.
16mm/black and white/optical sound/30 minutes approximately.

4. Dental Health Week – The winning entry of the 1969 Film Competition. This film, by Apex Australia, is on the 1968 National Project of the Association of Apex Clubs.
16 mm/black and white/optical sound/10 minutes.

5. A Long Way to Go – On the subject of autism and the steps being taken towards a cure. This was a project of the Apex Clubs and is widely known because it involved a sponsored walk around Australia in which Apex Clubs participated.
16mm/black and white/optical sound/26 minutes approximately.

6. Mission Medic Air – The film of the Luanshya Round Table 24 of ARTCA project.
16mm/colour/optical sound/25 minutes.

7. Polioemitis in Uganda – The film of the renowned Kampala Polio Clinic.
16mm/colour/optical sound/12 minutes approximately.

8. Adopt, Adjust and Improve – The World Council 1970 Film Competition winner from Madras RTI of India. Gives an insight into Round Tabling in India and some of the challenges faced.
16mm/black and white/15 minutes approx.

9. A Matter of Relationship – Produced in 1973 by Kin to show what Kin stands for. It attempts to educate the new member into the spirit of Kinsmen.
16mm/colour/optical sound/12 minutes.

10. A Service Club in Action in Papua New Guinea – By the Apex Club of Lae, this 1972 Film Competition winner shows service club action in a developing country.
8mm/colour/optical sound/12 minutes.

11. Bruges Conference, 1973 – Official film of the Conference made by RT Belgium.
16 mm/colour/optical sound/15 minutes.

12. Hong Kong Conference, 1975 – This film appears to have found its way into the library by accident and there are no details available. If any Association borrows it, the Secretariat would appreciate comments and technical details.

13. Quo Vadis Hatman – The winning entry in the 1973 Film Competition made by Briantree Round Table (RTBI).
Super 8mm/colour/12 1/2 minutes.

14. El Syd – The winning entry in the 1977 Film Competition made by a member of the Kinsmen Club of Calgary as part of Syd Minuk’s election campaign in his successful bid to become the Club President in 1974/75. See how the Kinsmen do it!!
16mm/black and white/silent/10 minutes approx.

15. The Burtt Special – The best amateur film in the 1977 Film Competition made by Poynton RT No. 1064 (RTBI).
8mm/colour/magnetic sound/160 ft.

16. They’re off – The 1978 Film Competition winner (again from Poynton RT).
8mm/colour/magnetic sound/170 ft.

17. Camels to Cadillacs – An entry by Dubai RT in the 1978 Competition.
8mm/colour technical difficulties with sound track/400 ft.

18. Mystery Films! – The General Secretariat has had films returned from all over the world.

Written by Christopher Mintoff
Sources: RT Digital Archiving Initiative

Louis Marchesi Clinic Lebanon

The Louis Marchesi Clinic was an intivative to create a health care service in Lebanon. The promotional material published by Round Table Lebanon described it as the following:

— Louis Marchesi Clinic is an independent, non profitable medical relief program with a deep concern for Community service. Louis Marchesi’s philosophy is that those who are capable of helping others should actively assist those who lack the basic elements of health, food and education.
— Location: In a popular area of the city of Beirut — Lebanon.
— Aims: A community service program; being a free dispensary for poor people who cannot afford private clinic expenses.
— Land cost and Architect fees are offered free by R.T. Lebanon for the construction of a medical center before 1978 the 50th Anniversary of Round Table.
— Twelve Doctors, six of them Tablers, will ensure 8 hours a day service, six days a week.
— Nurses and other team members receive small salaries.
— Doctors offer services FREE OF CHARGES.

As part of the Brotherhood Programm campaign, the association requested a number of items, including Examinations Tables, X Ray Units, Centrifuges, Refrigerators, EKG Machines, Instruments and various equipment. Moreover, they requested cash donations, which would have had the following impacts:

$12,500 provides financial support for the total project, medical and administrative expenses.
$3,000 provides administrative expenses for one year.
$200 provides financial support for medical treatment for one month.
$100 provides basic medical care for an entire village for 15 days.
$50 provides daily medical treatment for tuberculosis for one person for three months.
$25 provides two months of medicine and food necessary to overcome malnutrition in a child.
$10 provides half unit of blood for a child with leukemia.
$5 provides five days of treatment for severe fungus disease in a child.
$1 provides necessary food for a family for one day.

No information on this intiative could be found online, so the current status is unknown. From the RT Digital Archiving Initiative, we found correspondance between WOCO, Kinsmen, and RT Lebanon. In 1974, it was decided that these organisations would support the initiative, with substantial donations. In 1975, Lebabon experienced a sequence of violence and massacres, which led to invasions and civil wars. Correspondace we have from 1975–1979 show concern for the Lebanese Round Tablers, and for the substantial donations.

In a letter dated January 4, 1979, Roger Saygh wrote that:

For your information, in July 1978, the local facility for the clinic was bombed; and as we are still in a critical situation, we are unable to meet among members to take any decision about the clinic.

As for the money, we can assure you that it is still in The Royal Bank of Canada 

On March 29, 1979, Pete Hanly on behalf of Kinsmen Clubs wrote

…I have now been instructed to formally ask you to return the funds to us to be held in trust here in Canada here in Canada for you. The funds will only be held until such time as they are required by your organization, whereupon we would make the full amount of the funds plus interest accrued available to you.

The only thing that we would ask at that time is some positive assurance that the clinic was in fact going to be built and properly staffed. In the event that the clinic is unable to be built or in the unlikely event that your organization disbands, we would then have to return to our members, who donated the funds, to see where they should be placed. Every consideration would be given at that time to proposals from your area of the world.

Looking forward to hearing from you concerning the above.

Sincerely yours in World Council,

No further updates have yet been traced. The Civil war was formally over ten years later in 1990.

Written by Christopher Mintoff
Sources: RT Digital Archiving Initiative

WOCO Conferences

World Council Conference in Bombay, India — 1983

The World Council of Service Clubs (WOCO) Conferences or AGMs were annual gatherings that brought together representatives from service-oriented organizations worldwide, including Round Table Associations. These conferences served as a platform for networking, leadership development, and the exchange of ideas to enhance community service efforts. Hosted in different countries each year, they facilitated international collaboration on philanthropic initiatives while strengthening bonds between member clubs. From 1961 to 1990, Round Table Associations were direct members of WOCO. From 1991 onwards, RTI AGMs were held in parallel with WOCO Conferences, until they transitioned into their own events, and into the RTI World Meetings we know today.

WOCO 1945 Chicago, Illinois, USA logoWOCO 1945 Chicago, Illinois, USAWOCO 1946 Sacramento, California, USA logoWOCO 1946 Sacramento, California, USAWOCO 1947 Montreal, Canada logoWOCO 1947 Montreal, CanadaWOCO 1948 Hastings, England logoWOCO 1948 Hastings, EnglandWOCO 1949 Geelong, Victoria, Australia logoWOCO 1949 Geelong, Victoria, AustraliaWOCO 1950 Vancouver, BC, Canada logoWOCO 1950 Vancouver, BC, CanadaWOCO 1952 Bournemouth, England logoWOCO 1952 Bournemouth, EnglandWOCO 1958 Hamburg, Germany logoWOCO 1958 Hamburg, GermanyWOCO 1959 Malmö, Sweden logoWOCO 1959 Malmö, SwedenWOCO 1960 Brighton, England logoWOCO 1960 Brighton, EnglandWOCO 1961 Salzburg, Austria logoWOCO 1961 Salzburg, AustriaWOCO 1962 Lausanne, Switzerland logoWOCO 1962 Lausanne, SwitzerlandWOCO 1963 Salisbury, Rhodesia logoWOCO 1963 Salisbury, RhodesiaWOCO 1964 West Berlin, Germany logoWOCO 1964 West Berlin, GermanyWOCO 1971 Melbourne, Australia logoWOCO 1971 Melbourne, AustraliaWOCO 1972 Rimini, Italy logoWOCO 1972 Rimini, ItalyWOCO 1974 Edinburgh, Scotland logoWOCO 1974 Edinburgh, ScotlandWOCO 1977 Calgary, Canada logoWOCO 1977 Calgary, CanadaWOCO 1982 Cape Town, South Africa logoWOCO 1982 Cape Town, South AfricaWOCO 1983 Bombay, India logoWOCO 1983 Bombay, IndiaWOCO 1984 Dublin, Ireland logoWOCO 1984 Dublin, IrelandWOCO 1985 Nice, France logoWOCO 1985 Nice, FranceWOCO 1986 Mombasa, Kenya logoWOCO 1986 Mombasa, KenyaWOCO 1987 Amsterdam, The Netherlands logoWOCO 1987 Amsterdam, The NetherlandsWOCO 1988 Hobert, Tasmania logoWOCO 1988 Hobert, TasmaniaWOCO 1990 Harrare, Zimbabwe logoWOCO 1990 Harrare, Zimbabwe