Prior to 1912 there were no geographically defined administrative areas or sections in Rotary.
The 1912 convention created eight Divisions. The five within the United States were the Eastern, Southern, Central, Western, and Pacific Divisions. The other three were the Eastern and Western Canadian Divisions and the British Isles Division.

The Rotary Officer in charge of each Division was called a Vice-President and was elected at the convention.
Club Executives’ Meetings and Division Conferences were held, but not in all Divisions nor regularly in any Division.

The Vice-Presidents were in charge of extension and general supervision of the clubs in their Divisions but did not generally undertake to visit
every club.