Our History
Fort St. John Rotary
Rotary came to Fort St. John in 1963, when steps were taken for the organization of a Rotary Club by a group of 25 local business and professional men who were planning to establish a unit of Rotary International in Fort St. John.
Rotary International comes to Fort St. John.
ESTABLISHED APRIL 1963
Meeting with Jack Mackie, President of the Grande Prairie Rotary Club, the men voted to apply for a charter in Rotary International, thus adding the North Peace River region of British Columbia to the list of more than 11,000 communities in 128 countries.
They needed 20 people for the charter, and eventually got nearly three dozen. At the organization meeting, the following officers were elected: President Frank Spicer, Vice President Mel Stevenson, Secretary Jim Barton, and Treasurer Keith Baldwin. Directors were Dr. Jack James, Don Godberson, Dudley Wagner, and Cliff Morris. The new club was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Grande Prairie.
Our first regular luncheon meeting took place on April 4, 1963, at the Fort Hotel, and meetings thereafter were held each Thursday at 12:15 p.m. at the Fort Hotel.
Today, Rotary continues to be an important part of Fort St. John, with annual events including the Rotary Drive Thru Breakfast, Rotary Mother’s Day Run, and Rotary Mega Lottery having raised millions of dollars to support nonprofit organizations across Northeastern British Columbia.
We also coordinate a Rotary Interact club in partnership with North Peace Secondary School for high school students age 15 to 18, and an Earlyact club in partnership with Margaret ‘Ma’ Murray Community School for elementary students age 5 to 12.
Our work with these two school clubs help develop Fort St. John youth into becoming leaders in their school and our community, discovering the power of Service Above Self.
Fort St. John Rotary Club Milestones
April 22, 1963
The Fort St. John Rotary Club receives its Charter. The former Rotary Wading Park in the centre of Princess Crescent was among Fort St. John Rotary's first projects after it formed.
1971
Planning begins in collaboration with the City of Fort St. John to construct a day use camping area and RV park at the south end of Charlie Lake.
1972
Health clinic is built.
1973
Started scholarship program for graduating students.
1976
Sent first exchange student out.
1978
Sent books to the Philippines for our first international project.
1989
Installed community sign at Fort St. John city entrance.
1993
Official opening of Charlie Lake Rotary Park.
2002
The first Rotary Community Mega Lottery is held.
2012
The first community Rotary Mother’s Day Run is held.
2013
The Rotary Skate Park is built.
2018
The Rotary Spray Park is officially opened.
Contact Us!
Fort St. John Rotary Club
PO Box 6306
Fort St. John, BC
V1J 4H8
Find Us!
Fort St. John Rotary Club
Maple Place
Basement, 9807 - 101 Ave.
Fort St. John, BC
V1J 2B1