IFSR History

Where We Came From

In the early 1990's, several Rotarians who were also scouters met and discussed how to provide an outlet for both interests through a recreational fellowship within Rotary International.  It was felt that because of these dual interests, there should be many opportunities for PAST and PRESENT Scouters to further Scouting/Rotarian ideals and relationships at local, national, and international levels, depending on the interests of the individual. 

A group of British Rotarians interested in Scouting formed the basis for this original impetus.   Among those original members were Sammy Samuels, Norman Cooper, Edward Robinson, John Kenny and David Judge. An organizing meeting was held at the RI Convention in Mexico City in 1991.  The necessary requirements of RI for formation of a new Rotary Fellowship were met and the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) was approved and IFSR took its place among the 70 plus interest groups in RI.  The first formal meeting was held in France at Marseilles.

The first group was formed within RIBI (Rotary International in Britain & Ireland) although IFSR quickly spread throughout the Rotary World, particularly North America.  Sammy Samuels of London, England was selected as the first World President. Thus was born the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians.

During Sammy Samuels term, coordinators for the USA and other countries were selected and the membership began to grow.  To this day, the two largest groups are in the UK and the InterAmerican region (US, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Central and South America). 

Past RIBI President, RI Director & current RI Trustee John Kenny from Scotland became the second World President in 1996.  Under John's leadership IFSR doubled its membership and expanded to 18 countries.  Groups formed in Australia, New Zealand, Africa, South America, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan and the Mediterranean areas.  Special IFSR membership fees were adopted.  (The Fellowship does not receive monetary support from Rotary International.)  The present membership fee covers a quarterly newsletter, various mailings, phone calls, purchase of membership recognition items and other miscellaneous costs related to operation of the Fellowship.

PDG Harold Friend from Boca Raton Florida became World President 1999 having previously held the position of IFSR Secretary for several years. Harold did much to formulate IFSR procedures, expand membership into 31 countries and was responsible for drafting the current IFSR Constitution.

On the 1^st of July 2002, PDG David A. Judge of Colchester England became World President and almost immediately launched a number of initiatives to increase the support of Scouting by Rotarians throughout the world. David encouraged RIBI members as well as others to support the restoration and redevelopment of Brown Sea Island in time for the Centennial of Scouting in 2007.  In response to a call from World Scout Secretary General Jacques Moreillon as keynote speaker at the 2002 Rotary International Convention in Barcelona for Rotarians to support "Operation One World" he also established the IFSR Centennial Project designed to have each Rotary District sponsor two scouts, one from their own district and one from a developing country, at the Centennial World Scout Jamboree in England in 2007.  Through contributions by Rotary Clubs, individuals and other interested groups IFSR hopes to increase Rotary's direct support for and involvement with Scouting and increase the awareness of Rotarians throughout the world of the special relationship these organizations have had throughout the years.  In addition, we hope to develop special program items, a display for use at Rotary and Scouting events, plus other public relation tools to spread that message.

In July 2005, Ted Olson of Irving, Texas USA took over the reigns of the Fellowship and continued to recruit District Coordinators to aid and work at a local level. The Girl Scouts USA was advised to have a certificate program similar to our Eagle Scout recognition. Approval was granted and the first recognitions presented in Atlanta, Georgia at the National USA Meeting, thanks to the efforts of several key IFSR members; especially, Joie Hain, PADG from Georgia, who remains as our liaison with Girl Scouts USA and WAGGGS.

We, also, began the Cliff Dochterman Community Service Award. Thanks to the LAR Chair, Ben Semd and others, this award named for Rotary International Past President Cliff Dochterman, has created a great amount of interest both in Rotary and in the Scouting communities, as well. Numbering over 1,000 members worldwide at the present time, the IFSR is aiding the on-going spirit of Service Above Self.

Bud Allison, 2008 World President - International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians (IFSR) and Nathan A. Wolfstein IV, Co-Founder, Eagle Scout Parents - BSA National Parent Initiative, 2008-09 Rotary District 5260 Community Service Chairman and 'Recently Appointed' IFSR Webmaster, at the IFSR Booth at the Rotary International Convention.

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World Presidents of IFSR

1991-1996 Sammy Samuels London, England District 1130 1996-1999 John Kenny Grangemouth Central, Scotland District 1020 1999-2002 Harold Friend Boca Raton Central, Florida U.S.A. District 6930 2002-2005 2006-2008 David A. Judge Colchester, England District 1240 2005-2006 Ted Olson Rotary Club of Irving, Texas U.S.A. District 5810 2008-2009 N. L. "Bud" Allison Braes Bayou, Houston, Texas U.S.A. District 5890 2009-2012 Brian D. Thiessen Alamo, California U.S.A. District 5160 2012-2014 Fred Brenner Grove City, Pennsylvania U.S.A. District 7280 2014-2016 Harold Friend Boca Raton Central, Florida U.S.A. District 6930 2016-Present Mark Kriebel Endwell New York U.S.A. District 7170

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Will Manier, Scouter & Rotarian

Will Manier was known internationally as the President of Rotary International. But in Middle Tennessee, he was better known for being a scouter.

Like many Rotary Clubs across the country, when the need arose to organize and finance a Boy Scout Council, the Nashville Rotary Club put together a committee to develop a council organization. Will R Manier, Jr., a respected Nashville attorney and charter member of the club, was named to the small Scouting committee.

Following a speedy and very successful fund raising campaign, the Nashville Council of the Boy Scouts of America was officially formed on March 1, 1920 A number of Rotarians including Manier agreed to serve on the board.

The Nashville Rotary Club accomplished another of its goals of establishing a Scout summer camp just as Will Manier was beginning his term as Club President in 1921.

Will Manier accepted the position of Scout Commissioner for the Nashville Council in 1936. But he also accepted the position of Rotary International President for 1936-37. Following his Presidency, Manier threw himself into Scouting. In 1938, he extended the District Commissioner system throughout the council including Commissioners for Cubbing and Black Scouting.

In 1940, he called on the Mayor of Nashville to use the fire and police departments to offer Scouting to what he called, "Less Chance" boys; meaning underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. He named a Fire Scout Commissioner and a Police Scout Commissioner to help establish new troops sponsored through the city.

Will Manier passed away in January 0f 1953 after serving as Scout Commissioner and Board Member for over 30 years. He was recognized by everyone not only as a great Rotary leader, but a great Scout leader as well.

Primarily based upon: Boys Will Be Men, by Wilbur Creighton and Leland Johnson, 1983

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In Memoriam: PDG David Judge

YOU can Travel the world and help IFSR!

A great leader in Rotary and Scouting, PDG DAVID JUDGE, MBE, from Colchester, UK, who served as World President of IFSR, passed away at age 78 on September 27th. He began his lifetime passion after joining the Sea Scouts when he was 10 years old. David was very involved in the formative years of IFSR over 30 years ago. He and his wife of 25 years, Christine, were active in promoting IFSR at many Rotary conventions and World Scout Jamborees. He had a passion for traveling and attended many Rotary RIBI and Zone meetings, International Assemblies, a vast array of Scouting events and was a strong supporter of activities at Gilwell Park. He could always be depended upon, whether to assist in the IFSR booth at the conventions or helping to recruit new members throughout the world. It was as if he never had time to rest, always trying to create a better program and improve the lives of others by his actions. He exemplified “Service Above Self.”

Tributes have been paid to a man who dedicated his life to others. Devoted royalist David Judge was a leading light in the Rotary club and the Colchester Sea Scouts. He was described by friends as a “human dynamo” who was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Mr. Judge, who lived in Cottage Drive, Colchester, died at St Helena Hospice on Tuesday after suffering from multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. He was 78.

His wife, Christine, was at his side. She said: “We had been married for 25 years and it was a privilege to have been with him for that time. “We had a marvelous life. I was with him and holding his hand. I would not have left him.”

Mr. Judge became an MBE for his services to the community. He had been introduced to community work as a child. His mother Aileen, was involved in the League of Hospital Friends at Essex County Hospital and he played his part by collecting litter left after the hospital fete.

He was one of the founder members and was a past president of Colchester Forum Rotary Club and between 2002 and 2008 was the world president and chairman of the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. Mr. Judge was Rotary district governor for Essex in 1999 and was invited to a Royal garden party in Buckingham Palace.

He was also a dedicated supporter of Colchester Sea Scouts having joined the 17th Colchester Sea Scouts when he was ten-years-old. He was with them for more than 60 years including serving as the group’s president.

His love of the sea cadets and the influence of his uncle Maurice Ransom, an engineer lieutenant in the Royal Navy, lead him to sign up for the navy for his National Service. In 21 months, between 1956 and 1958, he covered 47,000 miles and visited 16 countries, the beginning of his wanderlust which continued throughout his life.

After completing his National Service, he worked for the stationers Ryman before joining Markhams in 1961. He started Markham’s Office Equipment, which had an office in Colchester High Street, and he built the company up before buying it himself. He stayed with the company for 32 years, along with his other business interests in Moel Contracts, Moel Technical Services and Moelprint.

Mr. Judge was a lifelong Royal supporter and he helped to organize the celebrations in Colchester for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. He was chairman of the Colchester and District Jubilee Coordinating Committee and was involved in organizing a range of activities to mark the historic day.

He remembered, with his usual good humor, standing on the steps of Colchester Town Hall on Monday, June 6, 1977, getting wetter and wetter as the rain fell.

As well as the parties, Mr. Judge was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest painting in the country. The montage was divided into 5,000 pieces and Mr. Judge was sponsored £1 for each he painted.
Mr. Judge also leaves a daughter, Christine Deane, from his marriage to his first wife, Nadine, who died.

David will be truly missed.

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2015 World Jamboree in Japan

The 23rd World Scout Jamboree was hosted by Japan from July 28 to August 9, 2015, at Kirarahama, the 23WSJ site. 34,000 young people and volunteers came together from 152 countries and regions from all over the world in a giant tent city for 14 days. Friendship Badge, Cultural Days, International Markets - these are examples of the wide-ranging program. A central undertaking was to visit the Peace Park in Hiroshima.

The pictures following show IFSR's presence:

During the Jamboree, the IFSR booth located in front of the WOSM booth in the World Scout Centre was an ideal spot to demonstrate activities of Rotary Club and meet friends.

Mr. Yoritake Matsudaira, President of Japan Scouting Rotarians, addressed a group of 35 Scouting Rotarians from eight countries at a luncheon meeting held by the Ube Nishi Rotary Club, District 2710. Hideaki Miyato of the Scout Association of Japan is assisting.

On Aug 4, 2015, the Ube Nishi Rotary Club hosted a Rotary Meeting for all Scouting Rotarians at the Jamboree. There were Rotarians from Bangladesh, Chile, Germany, Greece, Japan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Thailand, and the USA.

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IFSR Booth at 2013 BSA National Jamboree in WV

The IFSR recruited 18 new Annual Members and 11 new Life Members at its booth at the 2013 National Jamboree in West Virginia.

Brian Thiessen, Jon Richmond, Del Raby, Fred Brenner, and Brad Lindberg in IFSR Booth

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Exhibit at BSA 2010 Jamboree

IFSR had a special Exhibit at the Centennial BSA Jamboree at Ft. A. P. Hill, Virginia – 26 July to 5 August.

Delbert A. Raby mans the IFSR booth. He & other volunteers signed up new IFSR members and ran drawings for prizes for Scouts and Units.

Delbert Raby presents Scout Jason Chen of Los Altos, CA, the commemorative coin he won in an IFSR drawing.

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IFSR Centennial Projects

IFSR Centennial Project Brochure

All Rotary Districts were invited to join in celebrating the Centennials of Rotary and Scouting by participating in a worldwide service project designed to bring the youth of the developed and developing worlds together at the Centennial World Scout Jamboree in Great Britain in 2007.

In 2005 Rotary's Centennial Convention was at Rotary's birthplace, Chicago, where Paul Harris started the great organization. In 2007 The Centennial World Scout Jamboree will be in England - Scouting's birthplace - where Lord Baden-Powell (B.P.) planted the first acorn that grew into the great oaks of Scouting. The Jamboree is to be held at Hylands Park, Chelmsford, England which is located in Rotary International District 1240.

FSR is asking EACH Rotarian to support Scouting by encouraging every Rotary District to sponsor two Scouts to attend the World Jamboree in 2007. Each of the 530 Districts in our Rotary World should sponsor at least one Scout from that District, and a second Scout from a Third World Country who would otherwise be unable to meet the cost of attending The Centennial World Scout Jamboree. The Theme will be "One World One Promise".

This project responds to a request, made at the R.I. Barcelona Convention in 2002 to Rotary from the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) that Rotary support Scouting's project "OPERATION ONE WORLD", to have at least one Scout and preferably a Patrol at the Centennial World Scout Jamboree from each of the 216 countries where Scouting exists. Officially there were over 38,000 Scouts from 158 countries. However, some countries hosted Scouts from countries that weren't officially represented. So there were probably close to 200 countries represented.

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Last Updated: July 18, 2020