current members
Calendar of Events
These are the events that typically happen during our Rotary year (July 1 through June 30), but please reference our “Events” or social media pages for the most up-to-date information and details!
July - First meeting of new President
August - River Days Fundraiser; District Loons game outing
August/September - Membership Social Event
September - Labor Day Tridge Walk
October - Grove Park fall cleanup
December - Annual Meeting and Elections; Salvation Army Bellringing; Senior Dinner; Holiday service project
February - Pre-PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) Training and Annual Pancake Supper fundraiser
March - PETS Training in Kalamazoo; District Conference
April - Spirit of Rotary
May - Member dues Collection; Midland Blooms; Grove Park spring cleanup
June - RYLA; Scholarship Awards; Bike Camp; Presidential transition and “passing of the gavel”
Fun facts about Rotary and our club
History of the Rotary Bell
In 1922, U.S. Rotarians organized an attendance contest; the challenge was that the losing clubs would join in giving the winning club a prize. The Rotary Club of New York City was declared the winner and to them was awarded as a prize a bell from a popular patrol boat, which was placed on wood that came from HMS "Victory", Admiral Nelson's vessel at the battle of Trafalgar. Since then, the bell used in Rotary meetings started to represent, as on the ships, order, discipline, and the time to guide us through the weekly hour meetings. The bell informs us with its sound the beginning of the Rotary meeting, other club rituals, and, of course, the closure of the regular club meeting
We love to sing!
District Governor from Midland Ernest Britton, 1974-1975, introduced the club’s theme song, “Smile”, that is still sung today
Honoring members with a single clap
Something you hear often at our weekly Rotary meetings, the single clap is a tradition for showing respect and acknowledgement, not exuberant applause. It is meant to be a thoughtful signal that directs attention and honors speakers or guests in a dignified way, rather than a boisterous demonstration. While the exact origin is debated, the practice is a widespread and recognizable element of Rotary culture.
The Golden Goose
Keith Beamer (President 1998-1999) started this tradition as a way to recognize a member’s good work in a committee, other projects or special contributions. His hope was to bring non-traditional recognition that allowed members to choose the person they wanted to recognize and thank. The Golden Goose award started out as a gold lapel pin, portraying a goose in flight, with the first award going to Fred Rolf. The pin would later be modified by an addition of a diamond, mounted by Roger Schmidt. Today, the Golden Goose is a stuffed Goose that gets passed to the nominated member so it can be proudly displayed in their office/place of business.
Help Us Celebrate our History!
In the year 2020, our club celebrated its 100th anniversary! We are always working to update and archive the history and achievements of the club. If you are or were a member of this club, or if you have a family member who was a member and have materials pertaining to club history, please contact Tawny Nelb. Tawny is in charge of compiling and archiving this information. You can e-mail Tawny at: tawnynelb@gmail.com.
Click here to view a fun and interesting summary of our first 75 years!
Paul Harris Fellow - What you need to know!
From Rotary International (RI), “The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships. “
Individuals who have accumulated donations, to the RI Foundation’s Annual Share Fund or Polio Plus, of $1,000 earn both a PHF and 1000 Recognition Points. Members earn one Recognition Point for every dollar donated to the Annual Share Fund or Polio Plus. Those Recognition Points can be given to Rotarians or non-Rotarians in recognition of their service. The member owning the points can use them as they like. Point transfer is easy and requires that a simple transfer request form be submitted to RI (link is below):
The Transfer Request Form does require the recipient’s member number, club number, and district. If the recipient is not a member of Rotary, simply say non-member on the membership number line.
The minimum transfer is 100 points.
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Transfer Request Form
Rotary Club Supplies
If you’re looking to order any club supplies or Rotary “swag”, please visit Russell Hampton Company, our approved vendor site by clicking the link HERE.
