History of the Rotary Club of Kokomo

Two weeks after the Armistice was signed on the battlefield in France, thus ending World War I, a group of Kokomo business and industry leaders met in the Hotel Courtland to explore the formation of a Rotary organization. Following a period of application work and other formalities, the charter of The Kokomo Rotary Club was issued to 61 founding members on February 1, 1919.

Thus, the Kokomo Rotary Club came into existence 13 years after Paul Harris and a small group of Chicago businessmen founded the Rotary organization in 1905. From a very small membership of five men 100 years ago, Rotary membership today numbers 1,211,723 in 31,603 clubs in 166 countries throughout the world.

In December 1918, 30 members of the Indianapolis Rotary Club, our new club’s sponsor, came to Kokomo to conduct the pre-charter ceremonies. Since the automobile was still in its infancy, the Indianapolis Rotarians traveled by special interurban trolley.

For several months, the club met at the Kokomo YMCA at noon on Tuesdays under the leadership of D. Lon Spraker, its first president. Clarence H. Wills was vice president; Harry M. Lynch secretary and Ernest B. Seaward treasurer. Within a year, however, it moved to the Frances Hotel where it met for many years.

During its 85 years of existence and for a wide variety of reasons, the club has held its Tuesday luncheons at a number of different locations around Kokomo, including the YMCA, the Ramada Inn, Monte’s Restaurant, the Elks Lodge, Seville Restaurant, Morning Star Church, and for the past several years, at the Kokomo Country Club.

Today, membership in the Rotary Club of Kokomo stands at 140, including 13 women members. But that only begins to tell the story of Rotary in Kokomo.

In 1996, a number of local area men and women, expressed interest in forming a new club under sponsorship of the original Kokomo club. The charter night ceremony was the culmination of many planning meetings by an advisory team headed by club president Rex Fager and included Bill Grider, David Leyda, Ron Maus, Jerry Butler, Bill Draper, and Rick Smith. Past District Governor Charles Simons, served as the district governor’s special representative.

On April 11, 1997, district governor Bob Campbell presented its charter to the Early Risers Rotary Club at ceremonies held at the Elks Club. The 30 charter members elected Barbara Cassis, president; Steve Shupperd, vice president; Ed Huyer, secretary, and Greg McCarty treasurer.

A primary thrust for forming the new club was the number of business men and women who had adopted the principles of Rotary, but for a variety of reasons found it inconvenient or impossible to attend meeting at noon on Tuesdays. Consequently, Kokomo’s newest club meets for breakfast on Thursdays, also at the Kokomo Country Club.

Among its recent philanthropy was its pledge of $5,000 toward the preservation of military aircraft on display at the Grissom Air Museum. Its Valentine’s Day parties have contributed substantial financial support for our community’s Youth Symphony and Art on the Square projects. From our club’s annual membership dues, $38 goes to local philanthropic and service projects.

Rotary clubs throughout the world are planning 100th birthday projects with the requirements that each must benefit the community, be long lasting, and give visibility to Rotary. Our club and the Early Risers Rotary Club are partnering with the Kokomo parks and Recreation Department and the Kokomo-Howard County Governmental Coordinating Council to fund a pedestrian bridge across Wildcat Creek that will connect the Walk of Excellence to an historic area of Kokomo. Kokomo Rotarians have pledged $31,000 to the community’s Bridge to History effort, a project that will celebrate Rotary International’s 100th birthday in February, 2005.

Serving with President Bob Massey in our 85th year were president-elect Nancy Madru, secretary Hod Peabody; assistant secretary Paul Bradley, and Mary Rowe, treasurer. Board members were Bob Carey, Massey, Jim Milner, Peabody, Joe Vollmer, Vern Behney, Madru, Rowe, Bill Smyser, Dwight Singer, Dave Dubois, Greg Griswold, Rick Hamilton, and Jim Holtson.

Nancy Madru assumed the presidency in July 6, 2004, and is serving with Rick Hamilton as president-elect; Hod Peabody and Paul Bradley as secretary and assistant; Jeff Liechty as treasurer; and Jeff Zollman as Rotary Foundation treasurer. New Board members are Brenda Coffman, Laurie Sheets, and Zollman.

Each year Rotary International adopts a theme that sets the course for the organization. Last year’s theme, Lend a Hand, summed up the goals and objectives of the Rotary Club of Kokomo throughout its 85 years of existence. The timeless nature of this phrase has caused it to appear repeatedly in discussions and deeds of humanitarianism and service to others. It’s a simple gesture of kindness that cuts across every community and every border to capture the essence of Rotary.

For our centennial year, Rotary International has selected a simple theme, but one that undoubtedly will give our organization a new and expanded future. Glenn E. Estess Sr., newly elected president of RI, urges all of us to Celebrate Rotary by taking on new challenges and goals as we continue to bring hope around the world to millions of people in need. This is Rotary’s great legacy–and its great destiny. After all, who knows what can be accomplished in the next 100 years?