Rotary in Italy - Historical Overview

The first Italian Rotary Club was founded in Milan on June 19, 1923, by a Scott, James Henderson, an Irishman, Giulio Culleton, an Englishman, Reginald Prince Mountney, and a group of Italians. Their common goal was to promote ethical standards in interpersonal and professional relationships as well as to help others without regard to personal interest, race, creed and political beliefs. The organization grew rapidly. In 1924 a Rotary club was created in Triest, followed in 1925 by new clubs in Rome, Turin, Naples, Palermo, Genoa (in January), Florence, Leghorn, Venice (in March), Bergamo (in June), Parma and Cuneo (in October).

The first Italian Rotary District (District n. 46) was organized in Milan on February 3rd, 1925 with James Henderson as District Governor. In 1925 the National Council of Rotary Clubs was formed as an advisory board to assist the Italian clubs.

This continuous growth - one of the fastest in Europe - stopped on November 14, 1938, when the National Council passed a resolution to dissolve itself and asked the Italian clubs to cease their activities by December 31.

In 1944 the Italian Rotarians gathered again with the goal of rebuilding their old clubs and establishing new ones. In the meanwhile, the Italian Rotary had to repair its ties with the Vatican, which it did with the help of District Governor Omero Ranelletti, past president of the Rome Rotary Club. In subsequent years, having survived its dissolution and having settled its difficulties with the Catholic Church, the Italian Rotary began to obtain international recognition. Since then Rotary International has had two presidents coming from the Italian Clubs: Gian Paolo Lang from Rotary Club Livorno (1956-1957) and Carlo Ravizza from Rotary Club Milano Sud (1999-2000).

Gian Paolo Lang

Carlo Ravizza

 

 

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