The Joseph A. Caulder Collection - Frank E. Spain 1951-52

The Joseph A. Caulder Collection
Past Rotary International Director 1928-29 - Regina, Sask., Canada

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Frank E. Spain

Rotary's 41st President

Rotary Biography of

FRANK E. SPAIN, Birmingham. Alabama. U.S.A.

President, Rotary International. 1951-52

Chairman, Council of Past Presidents, 1953-54

Chairman, Rotary Foundation Trustees, 1953-54

Chairman. Rotary International Headquarters Committee, 1952-54

Frank E. Spain is senior partner in the law firm of Spain, Gillon, Grooms and Young, and is Vice-President and General Counsel of the Liberty National Life Insurance Company and the Bankers Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Birmingham, Alabama. He is also a Director and General Counsel of the Dinkler Hotels Company, O.Z. Hall Motors, Jackson Industries, Hotel Tutwiler Corporation, the Forsyth Corporation, the Alabama Asphaltic Limestone Company and the Odum, Bowers and White Corporation.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, but has lived in Alabama nearly all his life. He was graduated from Birmingham Southern College and from the University of Alabama.

Since 1937, Mr. Spain has been a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and is a Past President of that Club. He has served Rotary International as President (in 1951-52), Vice-President, Director, District Governor, committee member and chairman. For 1952-54, he is Chairman of the Rotary International Headquarters Committee, and, for 1953-54, he is Chairman of the Council of Past Presidents. He is a Rotary Foundation Trustee for 1952-57 and is serving as Chairman for 1953-54.

Mr. Spain has served his community as Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Appeal Chairman and President of the Community Chest of Birmingham and Jefferson County, Chairman of the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, and President of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

He has served his state as Appeal Chairman of the Alabama War Chest, Chairman of the Alabama Association of Housing Authorities, member of the Judicial Council of Alabama, and as President of the Alabama Motorists Association. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Southern Research Institute.

He has been Chairman of the Insurance Section of the American Bar Association and of the Legal Section of the American Life Convention, and is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Spain is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary societies, and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor. During World War I, he served as an officer in the United States Army.

From Rotary International,

35 East Wacker Drive,

Chicago 1, Ill., U.S.A..

March 1954.

Joseph A. Caulder

Remembers

Frank E. Spain

Frank lives and makes his living in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a highly successful lawyer but what is more important, is also a highly successful citizen of state and national reputation.

We had Frank and Margaret in our 247th District during his year (1951-1952) and if they enjoyed visiting us as much as we enjoyed having them visit us, then indeed they had a fine experience.

Frank is a man of action and he felt certain things should be done. Whether or not we agree with all his important moves as President of R.I., we can all agree that he is sincere and he gets action.

I was one of the "Committee of Seven" appointed by Frank in 1951 to study the construction of the "Committee for Nominating the President of R.I.". We thought we did a good job but Frank and his Board disagreed and the Mexico City Convention (1952) clearly showed their preference for the Board's opinion over our's. Other important legislation was proposed by the Board and it was all carried. I was the hard working Chairman of the Election Arrangements Committee at Mexico City and an analysis of the vote was exceedingly interesting.

Frank Spain has the courage to follow through and do what he feels should be done.

The question of a Home for Rotary has been a current subject since 1928, and was mentioned as far back as 1919. Frank thought this very important mandate should be carried out, and as a consequence, on May 16th, 1954 the cornerstone was laid and this building will be ready for occupancy about July 1st, 1954.

Frank has been Chairman of the Building Committee and this Committee has done a fine job.

So Frank Spain, in his own very capable manner, has made, and will continue to make, his contribution to Rotary's development. His contribution will, in future years, be ranked with the best and that is saying a good deal.

J.A.C.

Joe Caulder's

Additional Remembrances of

Frank E. Spain

FRANK SPAIN - BIRMINGHAM. ALABAMA.

PRESIDENT -- ROTARY INTERNATIONAL l95l-5 2.

It seems there is always a man ready when there is a great job to do. A Rotarian of same years standing. A student of local and world affairs and a Corporation lawyer of high standing, he applied his experience and talents to the job of making R.I. larger in membership and greater in achievement.

Without Frank Spain as President of R.I. it is possible the beautiful and efficiently planned and equipped Rotary headquarters might still (1959) be in the talking stage. As far back as 1929 the Board had been authorized to proceed with a new home for Rotary. President Frank decided to move on the authority already granted. Today it is almost a certainty that no Rotarian anywhere regrets the building of the new home at 1600 Ridge Ave., Evanston, Illinois.

Evanston is an ideal location as it now has the head offices of many educational and cultural organizations. Also North Western University is located at Evanston.

Rotary International had the funds on hand to spend over one and one-quarter million dollars on the new home without going into debt and still had sufficient funds on hand to carry on with no financial problems to face except the ever-present problem today of having income and outgo in balance.

Dues were increased at the Mexico City Convention in 1952 and again this was a forward and a necessary step to take if the organization was to continue to spread to all parts of the world except to those countries dominated by Communism. Now in 1959 Rotary has over 10,000 Clubs in 113 countries.

Well done Frank Spain.

J.A.C.

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Frank E. Spain's

Letter to

Joseph A. Caulder

September 1, 1954

[Click on Letter to Enlarge]