Troy Rotary History as published in the Troy Messenger in 1931.
Troy Rotary Active City Civic Interests Since 1920 | Has Seen Growth With City Endorsing The Worthy Projects
BY J. H. WILKERSON
The Troy Rotary Club was organized in the year, 1920, its organization being promoted by Alex Henderson and citizen of Troy, who early in the year 1920 invited a number of merchants and business and professional men to meet a committee from Montgomery Rotary Club at his office.
As a result a preliminary meeting was held on April 16th for the purpose of preparing for organizing the club, at which meeting the following were present: Will W. Heath, John H. Wilkerson, J. M. Watkins, L. E. Gellerstedt, S. A. Williams, Chas. Henderson, Geo. H. Cox, Dr. Gillis Sanders, Chas. A. Simpson, John Hollis, Rev. V. G. Lowery, John R. McLure, M. N. Dodson, and Emory Folmar. The charter was presented to the club on the night of May 7th, by District Governor Truman McGill of Selma, Ala. The club began with 22 members and from that time its members increased to 42 in number.
The following is a list of all the presidents of the club since its organization in 1920. Alex Henderson, J. H. Wilkerson, Walter C. Black, Emory Folmar, John W. Bowers, Pete O. Black, E. C. Bassett, S. A. Hams, S. E. Mary, H. T. McKinnon, and M. D. Pace, the present incumbent. The present officers are as follows: M. D. Pace, president; E. F. Dunbar, vice-president; L. C. Powell, treasurer, and A. C. Ramsay, and J. H. Wilkerson, directors.
The Rotary Club is a member of the international organization with the name of Rotary International, its member clubs established in thirty different nations of the world. The international convention, usually held in America, has also been held in Edinburgh, Scotland, Ostend, Belgium, Toronto, Canada, and this year will be held in Vienna, Austria.
While every meeting of the Troy Club is around the luncheon table, and the club does not take the part of a Chamber of Commerce, nor interferes in politics, nor of the City or community, it has well-defined objects. These objects are designed to accomplish results entirely unselfish in nature. Each member of the club is supposed to be a successful man in his line of business or his profession and to represent his occupation in the club and to carry what good he gets out of Rotary to his trade or professional confreres.
Rotary acts and operates in the community through its individual members training, encouraging, inspiring, backing, and helping them to act the part of good citizens, good neighbors, good family men, and good fellows generally. Rotary does not wish to itself do good things for a community, but to help the community do these things for itself, furnishing, if possible a good leader or several good men for any worthy movement.
The first Rotary Club was organized twenty years ago in Chicago and only one or two clubs have yet given up their charters. Instead the spirit and interest and enthusiasm of each club continually increases.
From almost the first meeting the Rotary Club of Troy luncheons was furnished by ladies of the Eastern Star. They and for the past several years by the Baptist Missionary Society. They are always of the most delicious character and such as to make visiting Rotarians envious.
The average program of the Rotary Club is composed of about four different features, to wit: First, instrumental and voice music. Second, club singing of Rotary songs. Third, a stunt of some humorous nature, frequently illustrating, however, some Rotary principle. Fourth, a serious speech or discussion upon some worthwhile topic.
These different features in the program, along with the business the club has on hand in connection with its various committee activities or community projects, take up the 60 minutes to which it limits the continuation of the meeting.
It has been greatly indebted during the past six years to the ladies and gentlemen of talent in the City who have so readily and unselfishly taken parts on programs. It has promoted the Boy Scouts movement in Troy, The teachers of the City public schools, and the faculty of the State Teachers College, City officials, County officials and visiting men and women of prominence. It has also been honored by having one of its members, Emory Folmar, elected District Governor.
The Rotary Club of Troy never expects to disband. Its objects are worth while, are uplifting, its methods are educational and its earnest weekly efforts are devoted to encourage its members to improve themselves, increase their efficiency and enlarge their service. It demands fair dealings, honest methods and high standards in business.
Its motto is: “He profits most who serves best.”