THE CHARTER

In March of 1928, a Kinsmen Club was formed in the city of Ottawa. It was short lived, for lack of enthusiasm and difficulties with the local organizational work (it was sponsored by Hamilton) led to the withdrawal of that original Charter in late 1929. Enthusiasm was not lacking, on the other hand, from the Founder of Kin, Hal Rogers, for, in early 1930, he, with National President Banty Bantick and Eastern District governor Dwight Coons, travelled to Ottawa and on Saturday, January 4th, they met with the nucleus of the defunct club in the recreations rooms of the CNR station to discuss ways and means to found a "lively and thriving club" in the city. Through the desire instilled by the threesome, a provisional executive was elected under President Bert Liberty and, at their first meeting held on Thursday, January 9th, 1930, at the Chateau Laurier, fourteen charter members were identified and that date was placed on the Charter of the new Kinsmen Club of Ottawa.

The actual Charter, itself, was delivered and presented to the Club by the National Historian, Ernie Ritchie, at a meeting held on the 15th of May 1930, at Chez Henri in Hull. Records of the Association of Kinsmen Clubs identify Ottawa as the 22nd club of the Association, and a "lively and thriving club" it has been for these first fifty years.

Charter members of the Kinsmen Club of Ottawa are:

To these, our Charter members, and to Ottawa Kinsmen, Kinettes, K-40, and K-Ettes, who have come and gone, giving service to our community for whatever period of time it may have been, and to all of the Ottawa Kin Family -- this simple tome is dedicated. We number nearly two thousand.