Richardson Central Rotary

Service above Self Club No. 1846 Chartered on March 21, 1980

Richardson Central Rotary Club

Rotary International History

Rich Benat: President— 2009—2010

Phone: 469-583-3405

president@richardsoncentralrotary.com

Kent Stone: President Elect

presidentelect@richardsoncentralrotary.com

Phone: 972-861-9706

Founded in Chicago in 1905, as the world’s first volunteer service organization, Rotary quickly expanded around the globe. Clubs meet weekly for fellowship to discuss local and global topics. Clubs are non-religious, nongovernmental, and open to every race, culture,, and creed.

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Richardson Central History

by Richard Gilman

Discussion went on for several years at the Richardson Rotary Club about the need for a second club in Richardson to allow more community leaders the opportunity to join Rotary and also have a place locally to do “make-ups!” Thus, Richardson Central Rotary Club was started by Tom Price in 1980 with Harry Scott serving as the First President. The provisional club of 24 Charter members elected officers on February 22 and started meeting on February 29 at Wyatt’s Cafeteria. The official Rotary International Charter (dated March 21) was presented April 11 at the District Conference banquet at the Dallas Twin Sixties Inn with District Governor Nathan White, Jr. presiding. The official club logo designed by Jim Rogers was unanimously adopted by the board on August 26. The first annual installation banquet chaired by Wayne Mayo was held June 5, 1981 at the Canyon Creek Country Club. On September 25, 1981 the club started meeting at Taffy’s Restaurant and moved again on January 15, 1987 to the Ramada Renaissance Hotel (now called the Hyatt Regency North Dallas - Richardson Hotel) before moving on November 30, 2001 to the Holiday Inn Select near Campbell & Central (US 75). On January of 2005 the club returned to the Hyatt Regency Hotel for its weekly meetings.

The motto of Richardson’s second Rotary Club is “Service is Central” and from the beginning the members have enjoyed “hands on” service projects from mentoring children at a low income elementary school to working security at the Richardson Christmas Parade to hosting an annual swim party / picnic for the Boys and Girls Club of Richardson. The club also has given financial support to many organizations and projects such as Richardson Y.M.C.A., Circle Ten Council of Boy Scouts, Network of Community Ministries, Plano Children’s Medical Clinic, Richardson Development Center for Children, Richardson DeMolay Chapter, Challenge Air for Kids, Richardson Fire Department, and college scholarships for vocational students. The Central club works well with the other Richardson clubs hosting the Annual Business and Industry Lunch for the Chamber of Commerce, participating in the joint Rotary Centennial Project, Matching Grants, the $100,000. Initiative Project, Child ID Kits, and enjoying the occasional group social such as the Rotary Valentine party, and officer meetings monthly for lunch to share and discuss common issues, projects, and concerns. To finance these projects, for years the major fund raiser was a dinner / silent & live auction, then for many more years they raffled off new cars and $5,000. media packages, but in 2008 two time club President Dennis Stewart introduced the Flag Program to sustain the club’s charitable giving. Smaller fund raising activities have included selling nuts & party mix in the Fall, Queen of Hearts weekly drawings, and working booths at the Richardson Wildflower Festival.

Realizing the “Service Above Self” potential of the female gender, Richardson Central was quick to accept women into Rotary having had four women presidents since 1994. One of our outstanding Central Rotarians was Jaye Marksbury, “Mr. Rotary,” who served District 5810 in multi-capacities simultaneously as well as literally dedicating his life to Richardson Central Rotary and its success. Jaye passed away while serving as Central’s President in February of 2001. Another dedicated member, Richard Gilman, served as club President twice and served as District Governor in 2007-08.

In its short history Richardson Central has been very active at the District level with its members serving as Assistant Governors, Communication Chair, Four Way Test Speech Chair, District Treasurer, GSE Chair, Annual Giving Chair, District Governor, and numerous other positions and committees. A few years ago when the District hosted its Rotary Information Jeopardy Contest, Richardson Central won 1^st Place. In recent years the members have been top participants in the Wheelchair Project. At the International level the Central club has sent several Ambassadorial scholars overseas as well as participating in the Teacher Exchange, GSE Team Leaders, High School Student Exchange, and Matching Grants. Each year the club finances its President’s trip to the Rotary International Convention where great Rotary knowledge and passion is gained.

Richardson Central is proud of its support of the Rotary Foundation over the years, including 83 Paul Harris Fellows, 30 Benefactors, 100% Paul Harris Sustaining Members, 100% Paul Harris Fellows and one Major Donor.

Paul Harris:

Rotary Founder

webmaster@richardsoncentralrotary.com