TRAVERSE CITY — A centennial celebration could be just the thing to brighten these uncertain times.
As often happens in times of need, Rotary of Traverse City has just the answer: May marks its 100th birthday.
Over those years Rotary has more than lived up to its motto, “Service Before Self,” and in doing so has helped northern Michigan grow into the vibrant area it is today. Just as importantly, Rotary has positioned itself to continue that service far into the future.
Rotary’s story is a fascinating saga of service, full of accounts of dedication, vigilance, humor, the occasional controversy, and yes, even oil strikes.
In the next month the Record-Eagle will run a four-part series examining both the group’s past activities, and how it is evolving to face the challenges of the 21st century.
Today’s local Rotary organization is made up of three branches: The Rotary Club (“We do good work locally and internationally”), founded in 1920; Rotary Camps and Services (“We steward land”), formed in 1955; and Rotary Charities (“We help others do good work”), founded in 1976. Each branch has its own story — independent, yet intertwined with the other.
Each of the upcoming articles will focus on one of these branches...CLICK HERE to read the full article
Cherry Queen Mary Jean Nolan at a Rotary luncheon in July, 1966.
Special to the Record-Eagle/Traverse Area District Library Historical Archives
More Information
May 1, 1920 Grand Rapids Rotary Club sponsors Rotary Club of Traverse City's charter. Dry goods seller James T. Milliken is the president of the 24-member club.
1923 Shares sold to finance Camp Greilick Camp for youngsters, Rotary Camps is formed
1942 Rotary Show debut called "The Minstrel Show" to raise money for good works.
1940s Four-way test emerges from northern Michigan as a guiding principle for Rotary International: Is it the truth? Is fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
1952 Jim Beckett, longest-serving Rotarian joins the club.
1955 Rotary Camps and Services is founded to focus on conservation and land management
1976 A free-flowing oil well discovered on Boys Scouts Camp Greilick property, spurring $600 million in local grants through present time, and a $50 million foundation.
1977 Rotary Charities is formed as a tax-exempt organization, made up of rotating, elected club members. Projects include capital grants, incubation opportunities and conservancy.
1987 Rotary membership opened to women.
1989 Rotary took on the Park Place Hotel, completed a total renovation in 1991, and sold it to Regency Hotel Ventures
1997 Rotary starts to fund and stabilize the State Theatre to 2012
2004 Marilyn Fitzgerald is the first female president of Rotary.
Today, Rotary has 50 different committee projects ongoing, and plans in the works for a Rotary Square project in downtown Traverse City.