Broken Arrow Rotary Club History

   In early spring 1965, the Will Rogers Rotary Club of Tulsa initiated an investigation with Broken Arrow businesses to assess interest in establishing a Rotary Club. Glenn Reynolds, as the official Rotary International representative, uncovered sufficient interest in the expanding Broken Arrow community so that within a few weeks a meeting of interested parties was held.
    On Thursday, June 10, 1965, these people met in the Jones Music Store on Main Street. That evening, following the showing of a Rotary film, the constitution and standard bylaws of Rotary International were accepted, a regular meeting time and place were established, and officers were elected.
    Following the Thursday precedent set, regular weekly Thursday evening meetings were held at the First Methodist Church. Ralph Jones served as the first Rotary president. On September 3, the club invited its Rotary Anns to a reception and banquet, with the charter presentation to follow. The initial charter included 22 members.
    Soon Broken Arrow became the fastest-growing community in the state, and the club grew with the community. Not only did the club experience an excellent rate of numerical growth, but the quality of programs, projects and fellowship events grew with it.
    Ever since the club's founding, Broken Arrow Rotarians have been making significant contributions to the community. The first project was a locally built camper for the FFA Chapter at Broken Arrow High School. Rotarians also made significant contributions to fulfilling a dream of many local citizens, the establishment of the Franlkin Memorial Hospital, later renamed Broken Arrow Medical Center. The Gatesway Foundation of Broken Arrow, Meals on Wheels, Broken Arrow Neighbors, Little Light House, and the Chow and Chatter Club for Broken Arrow senior citizens have been frequent recipients of the typical Broken Arrow Rotary generosity. Student of the Month awards are given to Broken Arrow and Union High School seniors monthly. Also included in support through the years have been the Bloodmobile, the Chamber of Commerce Building Fund, and the Miss Broken Arrow Pageant.
    The club currently is sponsoring an exchange student from Sweden who is making her home in 1989-90 with three different Rotary families. On numerous occasions Broken Arrow Rotarians have been involved internationally, by hosting groups and individuals and teenagers on Summer Youth Exchange. Children of several club members have also been overseas on the Summer Youth Exchange.
    Perhaps greatest pride is taken by the club in its efforts to support the young people in the community. Programs frequently educate Rotarians on the needs and challenges facing today's youth, as well as opportunities to provide useful services. The Broken Arrow Club's response has been supportive, especially in an extensive College Scholarship program for promising graduates from Broken Arrow and Union High Schools. In 1987, under the presidency of John Fisher, a Club Scholarship Foundation was established with $20,000 currently in its fund.
    Newest projects support the Broken Arrow award-winning beautification program, and include the adoption of a mile of public roadway for trash cleanup in the vicinity of Indian Springs Country Club where the club now meets each Monday noon, and the creation of a small park on city-owned land, with formal plantings, walkways, benches, lighting, and an automatic watering system.
    Varieties of fund raising activities help support the various charitable ventures. The perennial Pancake Breakfast on the first Saturday each December at the Community Center before, during and after the downtown Christmas parade is the leading fund-raiser. For many years an auction was held on Rooster Days weekend, and Chow and Chatter Club frequently provided a handmade quilt to be auctioned off at a club meeting. More recently an art auction has been added to the list of fund-raisers. Funds from fines collected at club meetings swell the charities coffers, as each new sergeant-at-arms attempts to twist the Rotarians' arm more vigorously than the last.
    Perhaps the most creative fund-raising attempt was carried out by an overweight Rotarian wagering that he could complete the entire Tulsa Run without collapsing. A member mortician agreed to follow the runner in a funeral coach. Finally, advertising space was sold on the broad expanse of the rear end of the runner's shorts. It was a great success, and the runner quickly got in shape and survived the run.
    Times change. As with most other Rotary clubs, Broken Arrow faced the issue of inclusion of women in membership. Following spirited discussion, the club voted to accept this inclusion, and was pleased to induct its first female member, Dr Brenda Martin, provost of the Southeast Campus of Tulsa Junior College. Her membership paved the way for others. She has been subsequently elected to the office of Sergeant-At-Arms and maintains the discipline of the club effectively.
    Community service and fund raising projects have always been jovial times of fellowship. This warm and friently spirit is also experienced at weekly luncheon meetings in a club large enough to do significant projects, yet small enough for everyone to know everyone. Dr Bob Baker frequently is called upon to give updates on world class croquet competition. Rotarians can hardly contain their excitement. Beyond these are times devoted specifically to fellowship and friendly competition, such as golf tournaments. Some of the events include spouses or whole families, such as banquets, receptions, picnics, hay rides and float trips. A memorable challenge event involved other area service clubs--a wild cow milking contest at Rooster Days festivities at the local rodeo grounds. Contestants began with an empty coke bottle. After running to the opposite end of the arena where a wild cow was tied up, the milker and his assistant, who held the cow, had to fill the bottle with milk and then run back to the starting place. The Rotary Club won second place, represented by Pete Monroe and N J Skipper. The Civitans won first place only through a lucky, though legal, bounce of the cow.
    Weekly programs have been consistently high in quality, bringing information and challenges that expand the vision of Rotarians committed to Service Above Self.  Local, state, national, and international leaders, guests, celebrities and public serveants have spoken. Rotarians in Broken Arrow see themselves as community servants whose knowledge is continually in process of formation and whose knowledge is continually expanding so that service can continue as the uppermost feature of the club.
    The various professions and business of Broken Arrow are broadly represented in the Rotary Club. Rotarians are well known throughout the community for their positive and energetic leadership in all beneficial issues and causes and the unselfishness and integrity with which they conduct personal and public business
    Finally, members of the Broken Arrow Rotary Club are generous contributors of the PolioPlus Campaign and many are Paul Harris Fellows

Broken Arrow Rotary Club Presidents ----- 1965-2010