Rotary in China: Randal Eastman Reports

Randal grew up in Dundas, received his BA from McMaster in 1988 and his MBA from Western in 1993. He has facility in a number of languages: French, German, Russian and Mandarin. 

A Rotarian since 1993, Randall is a Past-President (2009-10) of the Rotary Club of Shanghai China. He is also the Rotary International Special Representative to China, leading Rotary’s Service Club Development within mainland China.

Randal began his presentation noting that Rotary in China is almost as long as the history of Rotary itself. Randal’s club, the Rotary Club of Shanghai, China was chartered in 1919. 

Rotary’s viability in China reflects the fortunes and politics of the country. At its height, there were 32 Rotary clubs. Randal showed us a picture of Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, visiting China in 1935. However, during the Chinese Revolution of 1949, many Rotarians fled to Hong Kong and Taiwan and Rotary ended in the country.

Randal described the relatively recent and slow buildup of Rotary service in China. There are 7 clubs now and a promising future, with interest mounting as evidenced by the number of Rotaract and Interact groups, and four provisional Rotary clubs. There is also hope for legal recognition as Rotary develops a good reputation with local governments which are seeing Rotary providing excellent service in China. At present, Rotary membership is limited to ex-pats with Chinese citizens not permitted by the Chinese government to be members.

Randal also outlined the North Korean Soccer project from its origins to its impact. The project grew from an idea and the energies of a young Australian boy. Randall had a number of photos from a visit to the area. He thanked us for our generous personal and club donations to the project.  

Randal concluded his presentation with a call to action. He asked us to consider continuing our support of the North Korean project with donations for soccer balls and uniforms but to also consider supporting the purchase of clean cook-stoves and solar water heaters for the same area. 

Ralph Montesanto thanked Randal for his presentation and for the work he does on behalf of Rotary.