LawrenceburgTN Rotary - Lawrenceburg Rotary Club History

The first meeting was held at the Lawrenceburg Hotel in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, being present at this meeting the following gentlemen representing two clubs.

From Pulaski, we had Bruce Farley, David Wade, Jr., and Buck Holt and representing the Lewisburg club were Bob McBride, Jr., Joe Gordon, J. Lee Moss, Monroe Carter, Nat K.Reiney and also were present the following gentlemen who later became charter members.

Those present were, E. I. Elder, G. A. Dugger, Harry Berman, Wendell Coffey, Charles Freeman, Jr., Wilson Warren, H. H. Warren, F. F. Locke, W. L. Gladish, Jr., Hiram Holsford, J. Robert Hood, H. A. Hollander, Floyd Bloom, Harold Nance, A. G. Buckner, W. O. Crowder, Jr., P. E. Hickman, John Craft, Mack Rutherford, Ben Smith and Buddy Richardson.

After a nice talk and complete information about the Rotary International by Bob McBride, and upon his suggestion we then had the election of seven members as a board of directors, which was elected by secret ballot. Those elected were, Hirom Holsford, President, J. Robert Hood, Vice President, Bob Belew, Secretary and E. I. Elder, Treasury.

Upon returning to the meeting we had a nice talk by our President, who gave the club the directors selection of officers, and gave several suggestions to be followed at later meetings, at this time it was discussed as to meeting place, and time, and was the choice of the club to meet each Friday from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Lawrenceburg Hotel Coffee Shop.

Our President then suggested we give our friends from Lewisburg and Pulaski a rising vote of thanks. After that the motion was made and carried to adjourn.

August 29, 1947

Our first meeting after the organization of the club was held at Lawrenceburg Hotel Coffee Shop on the 29^th day of August. There was no special business brought before the club, their being just a principle gathering for luncheon at this time, each member seeming to enjoy themselves.

There was a meeting called by our President of the Directors to be held September 2^nd.

September 2, 1947

There was a meeting held at the Blue and White Diner, all of the directors were present with the exception of G. A. Dugger, and the following committies were appointed: Club Service- Boss Hollander, Chairman; appointed to serve under Boss were Harry Berman, Program, Charles Freemon, Attendance, Harold Nance, Fellowship, Poke Hickman, Classification, Ben Smith, Membership, Wilson Warren, rotary Information. Dr. A. G. Buckner was elected chairman of International Service. On Community Service were appointed Floyd Bloom as chairman, Mack Rutherford, Youth, Wendell Coffey, Boy Scout, John Craft. Rual Ervan Work, W. O. Crowder, Cripple Children and Ladd Gladish, Trafic Safety.

September 5, 1947

We had our regular meeting Friday at noon at Hotel Coffee Shop on September 5^th.

The only business brought before the club was the reading of the committies of their assignments and positions on the committies and their were some discussion in general on Rotary, that day having present four Rotarians from Pulaski club.

Meeting was adjourned with a request from our President that the Directors meeting in his office the following Tuesday night, September 9th.

September 9, 1947

We had a special meeting September 9^th at Hiram Holtsford’s office to make plans for Charter night, their being present to help in the discussion and the arrangements, Nat Raney and Robert Laten from Ardmore.

The date set for Charter night was September 25^th and all plans were formed in this meeting. We then adjourned.

September 12, 1947

We had our regular meeting at the regular place with good attendance, including two visitors from Pulaski, J. D. Coffman, Jr., and Arney Curry.

We had some talk about our charter night. Some plans were made and others changed. After a nice talk by J. D. Coffman, Jr., the alarm clock went off and the meeting adjourned.

September 19, 1947

We had our regular meeting at the same place, attended by one visitor from Pulaski, of whom I have forgotten his name, but who gave us a nice talk and congratulated us very highly upon the organization of our club.

There were some discussion as to Charter night but very few changes were made in the present plans.

After some nice talks from various ones and open discussion by the group, the meeting was adjourned.

September 25, 1947

Charter Night

This meeting was held at Lawrenceburg Gymnasium, their being present approximately two hundred including our own club.

The program came off as was planned in the future meetings without slip-ups at all.

We had the following program which was far above spectation:

Program

Call to Order................................. Joe Gordon

President, Lewisburg Rotary Club

Singing led by............................ Jimmie Gearish

Accompanied by Mrs. Gearish at the piano

Invocation......................... Rev. Stuart H. Salmon

Dinner

Special Piano Music..................... Roy Gene Frazier

Welcome to Guests Dr. A. G. Buckner

Introduction of Guests and Visiting Rotarians ............................................Bruce Farley

President Pulaski Rotary Club

Address–"Rotary Encircles the Globe"..Will R. Manier, Jr.

Past President of Rotary International

Singing Led by............................ Jimmie Gearish

Introduction of District Governor............. Nat Rainey

Address and Presentation of Charter...... Mort Greenstone

District Governor

Acceptance and Response Hiram W. Holtsford

Presentation of Gifts

In addition the the stated program we had talks by Bob McBride and several other gentlemen from other clubs of which was enjoyed by all.

In the presentation of gifts present to Lawrenceburg club as follows:

The Nashville club representated by its president, Joe B. Sills, presented the club with a beautiful American flag. Next Joe Gordon from Lewisburg club presented the club with a Gong then David Wade, representing Pulaski, presented the club with pens for each member of the club and his address was excellent.

At this time the meeting was adjourned by Joe Gordon as master of ceremony.