Charles F Brown is founding secretary.

When the club formed in May 1923, the directors knew they needed a secretary to undertake the challenging assignment of club secretary.

One of the first tasks became a search for a member prepared to learn the business of Rotary and who could commit the time required to deal with the details at the club, district and international levels. 

Rotary began in 1905, but opened a new phase in 1921 by establishing Rotary International.  By this time, Rotary was big business that required local clubs to stay in touch by reporting activities, file returns, conduct member administration, submit community project planning, co-ordinate local club activity to district governors, and prepare returns for Evanston, Illinois to name a few.  The other part of the job was to act as secretary to the board and officiate at weekly meetings.  There was no doubt Rotary was a significant international organization and operated its affairs on a comparable level. A competent secretary would relieve the president and executive from dealing with process and allow them to devote their energy to consolidating and expanding membership and undertaking community service projects such as boys' hockey and baseball, flooding rinks, preparing ball diamonds and baseball umpiring.

Who had the patiece and requisite skills?  It was a lot to ask from any member.  Most founding members had secretaries of their own who looked after administrative matters for them. The executive turned to Charlie Brown as a logical person since he had experience in office administration.

With this background, Charlie Brown became our 'forever secretary'.

When Charlie joined in 1923, he was assistant traffic manager for Abitibi Pulp and Paper Co.  His superior with that firm, J O McKerrow, was part of the organizing committee that approached community leaders to become founding members of our club. Abitibi transferred their office to Toronto in 1932 and Charlie switched to insurance.  By 1935, Charlie became a customs broker and started a long career as secretary treasurer of the North Bay Public School Board. He was a fine man who exemplified the ideals of Rotary.  Charlie was a fervent Rotarian who welcomed new club members like brothers. He'd look you straight in the eyes and as he shook your hand, he intoned in a solid, sincere voice " Welcome, and thank you for joining Rotary".  That kind of introduction sent a warm chill through your body and reinforced your resolve to pull your weight in Rotary. His knowledge of Rotary rules and regulations is part of legend.  RI consulted him frequently when it came to procedures in our Rotary district that included northern New York State.

There are at least a dozen current members who remember Charlie and his genial nature.  He was a short man in stature but contributed like a giant in Rotary.  He is a member of Rotary's 50-year club.  In Jack Broad's term, the executive meetings went late into the evening and, on occasion, a member might require a ride home.  I must leave the humorous anecdotes for better telling by Jack while reporting that, in the midst of their service work, the members found time for fellowship and fun.  More importantly, the club was making a difference by establishing clinics and providing health care for crippled children who had nowhere to turn; funding Camp Tillicum for youth who otherwise would miss a summer experience; organizing community fairs on Dominion Day; driving children with disabilities to Northwood Camp; and working at events to generate funds to support a variety of community service projects.

Charlie Brown played a pivotal role in helping Rotary to achieve its goals.  He is remembered with fondness, yes even reverence, by his fellow Rotarians.