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Theme for the year: "Let Service Light the Way." I feel that it is only proper to begin this, the year of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Rotary, by quoting a statement made by the Rotary International President, James
L. Bomar, Jr. Pres. Bomar has adopted as the theme for this year, "Let Service Light the Way" and his statement sets forth in concise form the basic principles of Rotary: "Let Service Light the Way, IN
YOUR CLUB by becoming more involved in club programs and activities. Light the way for new members. Help Rotary to grow in numbers and strength through sharing fellowship and concern for others. IN YOUR BUSINESS AND
PROFESSION promote increased awareness and concern for ethical practices. Bring greater respect for the dignity of all useful occupations and for the importance of every individual in the world through his work. Guide
young people to worthwhile careers. IN YOUR COMMUNITY spotlight the problems that divide our communities so that solutions may be found, so that strangers become neighbors and neighbors, friends. Help the young and the
old, the handicapped and the poor realize the potential for a good and productive life. THROUGHOUT THE WORLD banish misunderstanding and suffering—in the search for greater goodwill, understanding and peace—through the
Health, Hunger and Humanity Program, world community service, the Rotary Foundation, the matched districts and club program, and exchange of people." When incoming President, Harley Griffith, took over the
reins at the first meeting in July 1979, it was evident that he intended to enthusiastically carry out the precepts set forth by Rotary International President, James Bomar. He congratulated retiring Pres. Larry Teder
for a great year in which he had led the club to "Stretch a Little Further" and then outlined the Goals and Objectives he would be pushing. A great celebration of the 75th Anniversary was high in his plans. One of the
first programs that President Griff put into effect was The Twenty for Two Program. Under this plan 20 members signed up to contribute $10 per month for 10 months. Each month there would be a drawing. The two lucky
members drawn would have $100 sent in to Rotary Foundation for each of them to apply toward a Paul Harris Sustaining Membership. Under this plan, at the end of the 10 months, all 20 would be sustaining Members. This
may also be a good time to call attention to some programs and services that Lafayette Rotary carries on in a continuing fashion. Each week throughout the school year, Rotary has as its guests two outstanding
students selected by the schools, from one of the five High Schools in the county on a rotating basis. This not only honors the students but enables them to have a better understanding of what Rotary is all about.
The first week of every month there is a Birthday Table complete with a cake for those Rotarians having birthdays during the month. Each member is encouraged to contribute at least 10~ for each year of his age, the
contribution to be designated to go either to Lafayette Rotary Foundation or to Rotary International Foundation. Whenever there is a child or grandchild born to a Rotarian, he is encouraged (and expected) to
contribute at least $10 to one or the other of the Foundations. This is a practice started years ago by a former member and President of Lafayette Rotary when he gave the first $10 at the time of the birth of his first
grandchild in lieu of passing out cigars. Clyde Nichols, the originator, still likes his plan for in July 1979 he sent in another $10 in recognition of his third Great-Grandchild. Clyde is now in Texas. For many
years, the club has been sending a pot of golden chrysanthemums whenever one of its members or their spouses are confined to the hospital. Each week the chairman of the Family News Committee reports on the state of
health of any ailing members and also calls attention to any outstanding achievement or recognition attained by a member of the club. Each year, Rotary helps the St. Elizabeth Hospital by manning a booth at their
Park-o-Rama and helps the Home Hospital at a booth at their Fair. Annually, there is a friendly competition between Rotary and Kiwanis to see who can raise the most money for the Salvation Army through ringing the
bells at various locations in the two cities and through direct contributions. Rotary takes pride in having won most of the years. Rotary has regularly supported delegates to Boys state and to Girls State. They have
cooperated closely in the support of Training Schools for 4-H Club Leaders. Since 1974, Rotary of Lafayette has cooperated both financially and through service, with the Purdue International Center. A reception is
held for foreign students at Purdue each fall. A great interest is taken in Rotary Fellows who are studying at Purdue. Such students are invited to give programs at regular club meetings and are often hosted by
Rotary Club members. The same treatment is accorded foreign Exchange students and any area students who become outgoing Rotary Fellows or Exchange students. Each year there is the Rotary Scholarship-Citizenship
Program to honor outstanding High School Seniors from each of the county High Schools. Each student receives a plaque and his school is presented with a book of his selection to go into the school library. Parents of
the winning students, the High School principles and superintendents are also honored guests. Then, of course, there is the fun side. For many years there was both a stag party in the fall and a Rotary
Glee Club party in the late spring. This year, they have been combined into one affair. The Glee Club party aims at repaying in some small way, that wonderful musical organization that for so very many years has
performed so nobly at the Annual Intercity Ladies Night Dinner, which usually draws around 400 in attendance and usually draws Rotarians and spouses from all over District 656. There is annually a New
Member Dinner at which new members of Lafayette Rotary and their spouses are guests and a speaker explains Rotary history, its founding and its principles. Harold Michael, former President of Lafayette Rotary and this
year the District Governor of District 656 has done such an excellent job on this talk that it has become almost legendary. A Ladies Night Party around Valentines Day has also been popular for a number of years and
in 1980 this event will mark Lafayette Rotary's Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of Rotary by Paul Harris. Since Lafayette Kiwanis has Thursday as its regular meeting day, at Thanksgiving they are
invited to join with Rotary in a joint meeting on our regular day, which is Tuesday. During Holy Week, on Tuesday, the club attends the joint religious service sponsored by the Lafayette Ministerial Association for
the entire week. The Pres. of Rotary MC's the service and a member leads the singing and another member leads the group in prayer. The service has usually been held in the old Mars Theatre with Rotary members then
adjourning to some other location, usually the Y.M.C.A., for their lunch. The Jefferson High School Acappella Choir has become an established tradition for a wonderful musical program near Christmas. Each year,
the club is visited officially by the then District Governor. This year, our own Harold Michael performed that duty. In his official address, Harold said, "Rotarians Light the Way—not Rotary Clubs—in the avenues of Club
Service, Community Service, Vocational Service and International Service." He stressed that Vocational Service is the real reason for membership and it touches every person by being of service to others. Rotary is truly
international. It is a Philosophy and a Way of Life. In the first half of this year, Lafayette Rotary has continued to carry on its annual programs and activities. It exceeded by more than $500, its goal in the 4-H
program. It raised $4,868 for the Salvation Army compared to $4,248 from Kiwanis. The continued push on the Paul Harris Fellow program and R. I. Foundation in general has resulted in the club now being a 1500% club. To
date, it has contributed a total of $36,926.25. There have been the expected fine weekly programs. Just a few can be mentioned here: Phil Eskew, Indianapolis, pleased the club with his customary enthusiasm
and wit as he talked on "A Poor Man's Philosophy of Life." Dr. Lindley Wagner, M.D., Director of Medical Education Program of I.U. at Purdue, reported on the now10 year old program. Purdue is one of 10 centers with 305
students enrolled in the entire program. The payoff is in getting more doctors in Indiana communities. There was a series of programs featuring local businesses. Dan Gaudiano, Manager-Personnel and Public
Relations, Alcoa, presented a most interesting illustrated report on Alcoa, its origin in Oberlin, Ohio in 1886, its 46,000 employees at 53 worldwide locations. The Lafayette Plant is the largest of three tube divisions
with 1770 employees. Thomas Henderson, Pres. of Schwab Safe Co., told of the growth of that 107 year old company and John Clifford with John Honan of the Staley Co., related how that company came to Lafayette 2˝ years
ago to process corn for a High Corn Syrup for soft drinks and employs 220 workers. Ronald Kingston, general manager of GTE's southwest division, completed the series and intrigued his audience as he told of the new
technology by which greatly increased numbers of messages can be sent over fiber glass cables. At the Rotary-Kiwanis Thanksgiving week meeting, Carroll Bottom, Emeritus Professor of Agricultural Economics,
talking on "The Price of Inflation and Unemployment," said, "It takes a long time for a democracy to get the job done but it usually gets it done right." The last meeting before Christmas, 1979 was filled
with Christmas Spirit as Al Stewart directed Rotarians and Rotaryanns in singing many Christmas songs, featuring two solos by Sandra Bennett with Rotaryann Rosemary Funk at the piano. About 20 visiting Rotaryanns
enjoyed the program with us. Mauri Williamson capped it off when he came in dressed as Santa and read some outrageous letters he had received from various Rotarians stating their desires for Christmas. As
the first half of this 1979-1980 year ends, there are 18,222 Rotary Clubs, 843,500 Rotarians in 152 countries. Purdue's football team went to the Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston's Astrodome and defeated the U.
of Tenn. in a thriller. At the end of January 1980, Purdue's basketball team was leading the Big Ten Conference with half the season gone. The presence of Soviet troops in Cuba was uncovered. Carter signed
the SALT II treaty but the Senate balked and debated. In November 1979, Iranian students seized the U. S. Embassy in Iran and 50 hostages were still being held on Feb. 1, 1980. Russia invaded Afghanistan; debate on SALT
II was halted; U.S. threatens to boycott the Olympics to be held in Russia in the summer and pledges to defend the Persian Gulf. Gold went to over $600 per ounce. Inflation in U. S. for 1979 was 13.2%. 75th Anniversary Celebration The Lafayette Rotary
Club celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the founding by Paul Harris of what is now known as Rotary International with a banquet at Howard Johnson's East on February 23, 1980. It was a delightful evening of fun,
fellowship, entertainment, enlightenment and dancing. Eric Holm chaired the planning of the event. Twelve speakers gave brief reports on the status of various activities and programs carried on by the club. A
significant part of the program was the presentation of the first annual Rotary Scholarship Award in honor of Curt Hostetter, our secretary for 25 years. The award went to Kathy Matz, sophomore in McCutcheon High
School. Curt is recognized as one of the best Rotary secretaries in the nation. The $175 scholarship is provided from the Rotary Park Funds. These funds will be used for many camp scholarships. An historic
presentation was made to a grandson of the first president of the Lafayette Rotary Club. Thomas Francis Moran III, now a member of the club, was presented a special plaque in memory of his grandfather who was a founder
of the Lafayette Rotary Club May 1, 1916. District Governor Harold Michael, past president of Lafayette Rotary, capped the evening off with his excellent talk on "Paul Harris, the Founder."
About l80 Rotarians and Rotaryanns attended the celebration. 1980 District Conference An outstanding district conference under the leadership of District Governor, Harold Michael, was held in West Lafayette April 10, 11 and 12, 1980.
Charles "Dutch" Austin, Past District Governor and personal representative of Rotary International President, James L Bomar, Jr., was the key speaker of the conference. Included as part of the conference
was the annual Lafayette Rotary Intercity dinner with the Purdue Varsity Glee Club entertaining. At the closing session Saturday noon, Earl Butz, former Secretary of Agriculture, addressed the group on "Food Power vs.
Petro Power." |
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Copyright © 2000 Lafayette Indiana Rotary Club. |