Brief histories of the "First 100" Clubs

Rotary Club of New York City #6

RI District 7230

Also see Rotary Global History Day November 2009

The idea of forming a Rotary Club in New York came in a message to Elmer De Pue in New York, not from Paul Harris but from Clarence J. Wetmore, member of the Rotary Club of San Francisco. Elmer was the President of the Eastern Division of the Cresta Blanca Wine Company. 

In an effort to start the wheels rolling, Elmer consulted with Daniel Cady of New York who, as a close friend of Paul Harris, agreed to talk with Paul. Paul Harris dispatched Fred Tweed of Chicago to talk with Cady, DePue and Bradford Bullock at a meeting held on August 18, 1909. Six days later on August 24, 1909, the Rotary Club of New York was formed. There were 15 charter members and Bradford Bullock was elected President. Bradford Bullock served as President for two years.

(Please read the obituary of Charter president Bullock, who served, in 1911, as Vice President of the National Association of Rotary Clubs)

The Honorary Member of this Club was Paul Harris, third from the left, elected at the initial meeting of the New York Rotary on August 24, 1909. Since there were no established requirements for weekly meetings, Club #6 held dinner meetings semi-monthly, the second and fourth Thursday, rotating the meeting to different restaurants and hotels.

It is interesting to note that the Club's chief slogan was: "Rotary Club of New York: Composed of men who are old enough to know how to do business, and young enough to want more business to do.”

 

1922 article about a "Bell" from London.. Ziegler

Also see our Rotary Bell history

 

New York City was the site of the 1949,  and the 1959 Rotary International Conventions   A famous actress addressed the 1949 convention, and a minor detail, we correct an error from 1949.

An interview on internet radio with NY6

1922 Article (above right) about US President Harding's "Prosperity Poster" campaign. (Ziegler)

Read all about United Nations Day activities and Rotary and the UN

See the delegates to the first convention of Rotary in 1910, in Chicago when the National Association of Rotary Clubs was formed. New York City was a forming club and was there.

See our delegation at Rotary's 2nd convention in Portland, Oregon, USA in 1911. A rare, early Rotary Global History photo.

"Empire State" First 100 Clubs

NY6

Buffalo 28

Rochester 36

Syracuse 42

Binghamton 64

Albany 68