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WEST PINE BLUFF ROTARY CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY

By Larry Fugate/SPECIAL TO THE COMMERCIAL
Friday, June 26, 2009 12:10 AM CDT

The 40th anniversary of the West Pine Bluff Rotary Club Thursday evening was more a walk down memory lane for many longtime members of the civic club.

Charles Bonner, the charter president, has also served as president this past year. He was presented a special citation for 50 years perfect attendance at the Pine Bluff and West Pine Bluff clubs.

“It’s been a wonderful journey,” he said in response to a standing ovation.

The club has accomplished much in its 40 years. The Rotary Club of Pine Bluff voluntary ceded a portion of its territory (all of Jefferson County) to help form the West Pine Bluff Rotary, with the new club admitted to membership in Rotary International on June 28, 1969. From approximately 60 eligible members of the Rotary Club of Pine Bluff, 24 chose to become charter members of the Rotary Club of West Pine Bluff. The club’s first meeting was held on July 3, 1969.

The first Rotary club in the world was organized in Chicago, Ill., on Feb. 23, 1905, upon the suggestion of Paul P. Harris, a young attorney, who gathered together in a spirit of friendship and fellowship a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. The Pine Bluff club was organized five years later.

The West Pine Bluff Rotary chartered with the 24 members, Bonner said, and added 29 more the first year. The members either lived or worked west of Hazel Street under the terms of the territory split.

District Governor Jim Davis of Magnolia installed the club’s officers for the 2009-10 year, including H. Dean Sikes, as president.

Bonner said the general objectives of Rotary clubs in every country are the same — the development of fellowship and understanding among individuals in a wide variety of useful vocations, the promotion of community-betterment endeavors and of high standards in business and professional practices, and the advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace.

The club counts more than 60 Paul Harris Fellows among its membership for contributions to Rotary International. They were recognized Thursday.

While club members normally meet at noon on Thursdays at the Pine Bluff Country Club, the club has elected to take a number of field trips over the years, meeting in a number of locations to learn more about their community.

Club projects have included erecting the entrance sign to Regional Park in 1980; volunteering for the Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends during Christmas at the park; ringing the bells each Christmas for the Salvation Army; collecting canned good for Neighbor to Neighbor’s annual food drive; projects in Mexico, Brazil, Thailand and Zimbabwe; the Arkansas State Police safe driving course; Special Olympics; Boys State and Girls State sponsorships; high school and college scholarships; Babe Ruth participation; annual United Way of Southeast Arkansas fundraiser; Farmers Appreciation, Industry Appreciation and Armed Forces Day joint meetings; hosting group study exchange teams from India, West Germany, Australia, Japan, Brazil and New Zealand; books for schools; Great Arkansas Cleanup; Habitat for Humanity; and Santa Claus Christmas Eve visits to children at Jefferson Regional Medical Center and at a local shelter for battered women.

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