A Rich Rotary History in Newton, MA

From its infancy in 1923, the Rotary Club of Newton began its community service by raising money and providing scholarship support in many ways. In later years it expanded this effort by establishing a student loan fund. The early years were devoted to local charitable projects and socializing, included spouses of the all-male members. Spouses were referred to as "Rotary Anns" and were honored at special Ladies Day events. Despite the depression of the 1930's, Rotary continued to assemble. By sustaining itself through that unsettled period in our history, it might be said that Newton Rotary became strengthened. The 1940's was a period when the club shifted a great deal of its emphasis from local community projects to involvement with the Second World War effort.

Programs were directed at preparedness, and included education in industrial and civic responsibilities, as well as the military draft and civil defense. Clothing and food drives were undertaken both during the war period and reconstruction years, when activities assisted in foreign aid projects. Club service enhanced the fellowship of the members, which organized holiday parties and annual excursions to major league baseball games. In 1950, Newton Rotary had a lead role in the dedication of Oak Hill Park, a community within Newton primarily established for World War II veterans and their families.

The Newton Rotary Club increased its community service effort in the 1950's with added campership support and capital campaign gifts to organizations like the Newton YMCA, the West Newton Community Center, Rebecca Pomroy House, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and Scouting groups. There was also established a "couples bridge club." The 1960's saw a continuation of the club's efforts to serve the community in a meaningful way. Grants were provided to many of the city's non-profit agencies in amounts of $100 to $500 annually. With only twelve such non-profits in the community at the time, Rotary was able to assist each at varying levels. Larger gifts were given to the Newton YMCA (camperships); Newton-Wellesley Hospital (equipment); and the newly established Newton Boy's Club. This was a period of continued growth for the club, reaching a peak membership of 101 men. The room size and the longevity of members limited the number of individuals brought into the club. A review of club records reveals that members then averaged 58 year old during the 1960's and 70's. Traditionally, only one individual from any given occupation ("classification") was admitted to each Rotary Club. A "Million Dollar" (brown bag) lunch was initiated in 1961 with proceeds going to the Rotary Foundation, another long-standing tradition. There was also then a shift in emphasis to more concern with international understanding. It might be noted, however, that there was little recognition or involvement of the club around the Korean and Viet Nam wars.

The Newton club was instrumental in sponsoring new clubs in Needham, Concord, Brookline, and Wellesley. It also later served as cosponsor of the Chestnut Hill Club. Among noted speakers during that period was Cardinal Cushing.An annual "Rotary Night at Pops" concert event was started in 1968 and continued for some thirty years. The 1970's marked a period of change for the club in a variety of ways. Socializing included events such as dinner dances, cookouts at Camp Chickami, theater parties, mystery rides, the Newton Auto Concourse, Celebrity Nite, Community Auditions Variety Show, tennis parties, Jimmy Fund Softball, and a resurgence of the Newton Rotary Bridge Club. During much of the 1970's, the club failed to recruit new members, and membership dwindled somewhat as the aging population within the group began to be lost through retirement, relocation, illness etc. This was a period in our nation's history when service clubs such as Rotary were made less a priority for individuals and the corporate community. The 70's did provide a strong foundation within the club to increase its community service, and involvement at the District Conference and participation in office at the District level. Our club's self-constructed pop corn wagon provided great visibility at community events and was used by other Rotary Clubs as a model. In 1973, a gala dinner dance was held at the Marriott Hotel in celebration of the club's 50th anniversary. It should also be noted that the Newton Rotary Club supported a resolution to come before the Rotary International Conference in 1977 that would allow women to become Rotarians. The resolution did not reach the floor. The 80's was a period of building upon the creativity and dedication of the 70's. There was a smooth transition of administrative leadership within the club and the flow of continuity enhanced most aspects of the club's activities. There was an upward surge in membership, as well as activity in social events and community service.

The Rotary Foundation became a major beneficiary with the start of the 4 for 1 Paul Harris Fellowship Program within the club. Participation not only grew 4,000%, but resulted in accumulating a support level that allowed the Newton club to honor individuals with the Paul Harris Fellow designation. In 1987, Rotary International sanctioned women as Rotarians. Our Newton Club embraced the opportunity to bring women into the club and was among the first within our District, and perhaps internationally, to support women in leadership positions within the "Club". The Auto Concourse moved to Weir's Cove and later to Lasell Jr. College, then to the Auto Museum in Brookline. Newton took the lead in coordinating a portion of the Boston Marathon route for collection of contributions for the Special Olympics. During this period, with the advent of the attractive Federal Student Loan Program, the Newton club discontinued its own loan program. Membership participated in both CPR training and blood drives. A taboo within the club was erased when political candidates were invited to speak at meetings, a practice frowned upon for 7 decades. The Pomroy House was the site for many club socials, followed by the use of Boston College's Alumni House; David Nixon's home in Dover; the President's House at Lasell Junior College; Gregorian Oriental Rugs' showroom; Camp Chickami; the Sheraton Tara Hotel; and the Marriott Hotel, where Club Assemblies and the Pops Nite dinners were held for many years. It was in the late 80's that the club began an annual Coffee House fund raising event to benefit its many charities. Held at the Newton Community Service Centers, the club realized revenues which shifted its annual grant awards from $5,000-$7,500 to $27,000+. The Coffee House, with its Ad Book, Raffle and Auction, was a total club activity adding to the positive feeling within the club and new found recognition within the community. A spark for this new undertaking, in addition to leadership within the club, was the findings of our own club's Needs Assessment project. The 1980's also marked the start of a weekly raffle within the club, initially benefiting the Polio Plus Program. Later, the proceeds were used for the club's community service projects. This was further enhanced by a call for "Happy Dollars" weekly by the club President. Our club also included within this period recognition of the contributions of its own members through the Rotarian of the Year Award. This was later replaced by the Unsung Hero Award. Other instances of club recognition have included honoring the three generations of the Keery Family in Newton Rotary, and the Gregorian Oriental Rug Company for 60 years of operation.

Rotarians have continued to participate in District Golf Tournaments, Ski Days, and internally have arranged for basketball, tennis and softball competition, though not since the 1990's. A major undertaking has been the annual Football Luncheon and trophy presentation in a jointly sponsored event with the Brookline Rotary Club. Other projects: the display of "Rotary at Work" at the Newton Public Library; the start of the Share Program; constructive work on two City playgrounds; posting of safe driving signs in school zones; leadership with the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast; participation at the local Chamber of Commerce; and participation in many community civic and human service organizations by individual members, in keeping with the precept of "Service Above Self." TRULY, the Newton Rotary Club has been steadfast in its resolve to serve as a vibrant, vital community resource. We seek to improve the quality of life of all of our citizens. NOTE: A complete history of this organization would include the names of many Rotarians past and current, who have made outstanding contributions to the club and the community. However, for the purposes of this summary, we have refrained from mentioning individuals. Rather, we have primarily focused on activities and events. In any organization, the members are its' strength. This is particularly true of the Newton Rotary Club. -AB