On June 28, 1912, a group of San Antonio’s
young businessmen, having heard of the Rotary Clubs of Chicago and Portland,
decided to form their own Rotary Club. Herbert J. Hayes, who had
developed most of the information about Rotary, was elected President and
the club began its long history.
On November 1, 1912, the club received its Charter as
Club 52. By that time, Rotary had become international. This was the first service club in San Antonio.
Today the Rotary
Club of San Antonio has over 700 members. In looking back to these
beginnings, the spirit, enthusiasm and principles of these men are
recognized. Club 52 continues those same traditions.
The first issue of THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE was published
on October 11, 1912, the first weekly publication in all Rotary. The WHEEL
has since been faithfully released each week.
The Rotary Club of San Antonio, which is known as the
downtown club and Grandfather club to District 5840, has given territory to
form 13 other clubs. They are: Alamo Heights, Highlands, San
Antonio Northwest, San Antonio Northeast, Randolph Area, San Antonio West,
San Antonio Oak Hills, San Antonio Mission Trail, San Antonio Airport, San
Antonio Leon Valley, San Antonio Sunrise, North Central and Canyon Lake.
From the beginning these San Antonio Rotarians were
known as “live wires.” Through the years San Antonio
Rotarians have vigorously advanced the ideals of Rotary.
One
of its past presidents,
Harry Rogers, served as one of the most
illustrious Presidents of Rotary International in 1926-27. He later
served as the dynamic Chairman of the “Fellowship Foundation” program. Four
Directors and ten District Governors of R.I. have come from the club. In
March of 1927, the Rotary Club of San Antonio (then called the Downtown
Rotary Club) was privileged to have as the guest speaker the founder of
Rotary, Paul Harris.
The Rotary Club of San Antonio has always advanced good
work in the community, foreign countries, and Rotary International.
Some of these deeds found in its community projects include work for
crippled and underprivileged children, establishment of recreational
facilities for boys and girls, and assistance to aid “at risk” students
through scholarships, loans and incentive plans to help young people stay in
school. Members also formed a foundation to work with college students
hoping to study abroad. The club has assisted with numerous programs for
underprivileged children in neighboring Mexico. These programs involve
sending ambulances and medical supplies, helping construct a school for the
blind and building a medical clinic for children.
Rotarians will enter the future with purpose, building
on their great background dedicated to the fulfillment of service to
mankind, near and far.
