Rotary Club

While attending the Group II Intercity General Forum at the Cliff Hotel in Agana Heights on February 8, 1975, District Governor Senju Satoh and Past Rotary International Vice President Kyozo Yuasa, both of Rotary International District 358, which at that time included Guam, inquired about the possibility of establishing a new club on Guam. Rotarian William A. McAlister, the Group II Governor's Representative, suggested that the Dededo-Yigo villages in Northern Guam might be feasible. (Note that in later years when the Tokyo district was split, Rotary International District 358 became 2580. Guam and the other Pacific Basin clubs joined the new District 2750.)

Three Weeks later, Rotarian Paul Bernholdt, head of the Eastern hemisphere Department, Rotary International, through a letter dated February 20, 1975, confirmed the appointment of Rotarian Bill McAlister as the District Governor's Special Representative for the formation of a new Rotary Club in Northeastern Guam.

A comprehensive survey of available classifications was undertaken in the Dededo and Yigo area and the extension survey report was transmitted on April 29, 1975 to the District Governor for evaluation and approval. District Governor Satoh gave the go signal to "organize immediately" on May 22, 1975. Thereupon, the District Governor's Special Representative McAlister, together with several officers and members of the sponsor club, the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, set their organizational acumen and leadership into motion. The organizational nucleus of the club consisted of McAlister together with President Jimmy Shintaku and Secretary Fred Estabrook of the sponsoring club, Tumon Bay Rotarians Mel Muranaka, Ralph Palmieri, James McDonough, Charlie Hale, Stanley Rice, and District Governor Group II Representative Bob Barry.

Several meetings were held at the Tower of Pizza wherein the committee of organizers guided, nurtured and interviewed prospective charter members, until finally, the organizational meeting was held on September 17, 1975 at the Guam Hilton Hotel. At this historical meeting, the name of the club -- The Rotary Club of Northern Guam -- was unanimously approved, the Constitution and by-laws of the new club were adopted, and the officers and directors were elected.

On November 12, 1975, Rotary International advised by cable that the Rotary Club of Northern Guam had been admitted and its charter approved. Thus, on this date, the 31 charter members were officially recognized and registered in the illustrious roster of the World Fellowship of Rotary.

The Charter Presentation Night of the Rotary Club of Northern Guam was held at the Guam Reef Hotel on December 13, 1975. Rotary International District Governor Ichiro Matsudaira sent the following message: "Heartiest congratulations to the new-born club from all of your Fellow Rotarians in the District 358! We welcome you as the first club to be newly established during the year 1975-1976, and wish you every success in the years and the decades ahead."

The officers and 31 charter members of the Rotary Club of Northern Guam consisted of the following:

Position	Name
President	William Thomasson
Vice President	Gary Caplan
Secretary	Robert J. Hart
Treasurer	Frederick Sun
Director	Florencio S. Zaballero
Director	Thomas G. Marquez
Director	Alfred S. Rios
Director	Joseph L.N. Hsiao
Sgt.-at-Arms / Director	Hank Buffett
Charter Member	James S. Bousman
	Lawrence J. Caplan
	Elmer Carino
	Peter Carlos
	Benjamin T. Cendana
	Paul G. Chang
	Kenneth Chau
	Leonard Kai Cheung
	Eduardo F. Dela Pena
	Emilio F. Espiritu
	Celestino C. Geronimo
	W. Don Hall
	Richard L. Krusee
	Lester V. Lien
	Earl Littleton
	Alberto M. Llarenas
	Marcus P. Magallanes
	Joaquin M. Palomo
	Jose T. San Agustin
	Alfonso Santos
	Meliton S. Santos
	Vicente C. Sian, Jr

The charter night program was presided over by President James M. Shintaku of the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay. Past President Fred Estabrook led the opening song. Rotarian Earl Littleton gave the invocation and District Governor's Special Representative William A. McAlister introduced the District Governor of District 358. All the partakers in the program were Rotarians from the sponsoring club, the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay, except the following: (a) Guam Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo was the guest speaker; (b) District Governor Ichiro Matsudaira presented the charter; (c) Charter President Bill Thomasson rendered the welcome address, accepted the charter and introduced the guest speaker; and (d) Past President Brandy Brandenberg of the Rotary Club of Guam served as master of ceremony.

With constant support from the Rotary Club of Tumon Bay during the first few years after charter presentation, the new club learned fast to be on its feet.

Club Presidents to date

Rotary Year	President
1975-76	William H Thomasson
1976-77	Hank Buffett
1977-78	Richard Krusee
1978-79	Frederick E.C. Sun
1979-80	Roger B. Andulan
1980-81	Wayne Resis
1981-82	Herbert E. Shelton
1982-83	Raymond K.S. Lum
1983-84	William K. Wofford
1984-85	William H. Thomasson (repeat term)
1985-86	Keith Nakamura
1986-87	Thomas E. Walsh, Jr.
1987-88	James T. Hutcherson
1988-89	Edy Lurie
1989-90	William R. (Bill) West
1990-91	Edward Alseika
1991-92	John R. Goodrich
1992-93	Calvin E. Holloway, Sr.
1993-94	Mack N. Ezzell
1994-95	Philippe F. Gerling
1995-96	Jesus A. Manibusan
1996-97	Michael Lin
1997-98	James S. Comer
1998-99	Daniel Rosenberger
1999-00	Paul Packbier
2000-01	Abi Adigun
2001-02	Steffen Niu

Membership Growth

From 31 charter members, the Rotary Club of Northern Guam has slowly grown in number over the years. In Rotary year 1991-92 it passed the 40 mark. By the beginning of Rotary Year 1995-96 membership had reached 60. Although presently down somewhat from that level, the membership continues to be as dynamic as the other clubs on the island of Guam as far as accomplishments in the four avenues of service are concerned.