War Refugee Rotarians’ Fellowship Groups

The Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) caused severe disruptions to Rotary clubs in China, with many northern and eastern clubs suspending activities under Japanese occupation. Despite challenges, 13 clubs continued operating, supporting relief efforts including refugee aid and medical services. Refugee Rotarians from affected cities formed informal fellowship groups in safer locations such as Shanghai and Hong Kong. The Shanghai group, established in 1938 and called “The Outport Rotarians’ Tiffin Club,” and its Hong Kong counterpart, “The Vagabond Rotarians’ Tiffin Club,” provided meeting spaces for displaced members from clubs in Peiping, Tientsin, Nanking, and others. These fellowship groups preserved Rotary’s spirit and leadership, maintaining connections and promoting community service throughout the war.

A Segunda Guerra Sino-Japonesa (1937–1945) causou grandes interrupções nos clubes Rotary na China, com muitos clubes do norte e leste suspendendo suas atividades devido à ocupação japonesa. Apesar dos desafios, 13 clubes continuaram operando, apoiando esforços de socorro, incluindo ajuda a refugiados e serviços médicos. Rotarianos refugiados das cidades afetadas formaram grupos informais de confraternização em locais mais seguros como Xangai e Hong Kong. O grupo de Xangai, fundado em 1938 e chamado “The Outport Rotarians’ Tiffin Club,” e seu equivalente em Hong Kong, “The Vagabond Rotarians’ Tiffin Club,” ofereciam espaços de encontro para membros deslocados de clubes em Peiping, Tientsin, Nanking e outros. Esses grupos mantiveram o espírito e a liderança Rotary, preservando conexões e promovendo o serviço comunitário durante a guerra.

抗日战争（1937–1945）严重影响了中国的扶轮社，许多位于华北和华东的扶轮社因日本占领而暂停活动。尽管面临困难，仍有13个扶轮社继续运作，支持难民救济和医疗服务等救援工作。来自受战火影响城市的难民扶轮社成员在相对安全的上海和香港组建了非正式的联谊小组。上海的“外港扶轮社饭局”（The Outport Rotarians’ Tiffin Club）成立于1938年，香港的“流浪扶轮社饭局”（The Vagabond Rotarians’ Tiffin Club）为来自北平、天津、南京等地的流散成员提供了聚会场所。这些联谊小组在战争期间保持了扶轮精神和领导力，维系联系并推动社区服务。