Royal Over-Seas League
| Motto | Ubique Navigavimus |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1910 |
| Type | Non-profit members’ organisation |
| Legal status | Incorporated by Royal Charter |
| Purpose | The support of international understanding and friendship through social, musicical, artistic and welfare activities. |
| Headquarters | Overseas House, Park Place London, SW1 |
|
Membership
|
20,000 |
|
Patron
|
Queen Elizabeth II |
|
Vice-Patron
|
Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy |
|
Director General
|
Major General Roddy Porter |
|
Key people
|
Evelyn Wrench (1882–1966), founder |
| Website | http://www.rosl.org.uk |
The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) is a non-profit members’ organisation with international headquarters based in its clubhouse in central London, England. It is also a major supporter of the arts, most notably with its prestigious annual music competition.
Founded by Sir Evelyn Wrench in 1910 as the Over-Seas Club, it was given a Royal Charter of Incorporation in 1922 and Queen Elizabeth II granted the title "Royal" to mark its golden jubilee in 1960. Wrench saw the British Empire of the time as not merely a political and economic structure, but also "a far-flung brotherhood of individual men and women of diverse creeds and races living widely apart under differing conditions in different latitude".
The league today is both an association of individual members and a supporter of Commonwealth art, music and welfare projects. There is a sister clubhouse in Edinburgh, as well as honorary representatives, branches or reciprocal clubs in more than 90 countries.
Accommodation, dining and conference facilities are offered at the London and Edinburgh clubhouses. The London clubhouse is at the end of Park Place, a cul-de-sac off St James's Street in the West End backing onto Green Park and has its own private garden; the Edinburgh clubhouse at 100 Princes Street overlooks Princes Street Gardens and has unrestricted views of Edinburgh Castle.
The clubhouses and the regional branches organise a variety of cultural and social events for members, such as backstage tours of London attractions, wine tastings, literary lectures and visits to shows and performances. The league has an in-house magazine, Overseas, which comprises contemporary features written by renowned journalists, members’ articles, news from regional branches, and information about forthcoming events.
Prospective members of the Royal Over-Seas League must be proposed by an existing member, and seconded by another of "recognised standing". Full members must be a national of a Commonwealth member state. Those from other countries may only become associate members.
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Wikipedia