This article is taken from the Garner Centennial book published in 1970.  For some more details about our club’s history, read about Prairie View as one of the club’s past projects.

On several occasions, during the year 1939, a group of Garner business and professional men gathered in the balcony of the Garner Cafe for preliminary meetings for the purpose of organizing a Rotary Club. Much of the credit of the organization of the Garner Rotary Club should go to Dr. G. A. Bemis and Dr. E. H. Phillips, who worked closely with the Clear Lake Rotary Club until the Garner Rotary Club was properly and completely organized.

At an organization meeting held November 23, 1939, the club’s officers for the first year were elected, namely: Cholm Houghton, President; B. C. Berge, Vice President; W. L. Baggs, Secretary-Treasurer; and Lawrence McGinness, Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Garner Rotary Club received its charter as of December 14, 1939, which was officially presented to the Garner Rotary Club, at a Charter Night meeting held January 3, 1940, at the Garner High School Auditorium. At that meeting, the Clear Lake Rotary Club, sponsor of the Garner Rotary club, invited members of numerous other clubs in the district to attend the Charter Night meeting. The Auditorium was filled to capacity and the charter members of the Garner Rotary Club were initiated into the big family of Rotary International. “Service above self – he profits most who serves the best” for 66 years has been the motto of Rotary International and for 30 years the motto of the Garner Rotary Club.

Charter Members of the Garner Rotary Club were:

Dr G.A. Bemis, Dr. B.E. Missman, W.L. Baggs, Dr. E. H. Phillips, B.C. Berg, Don C. Roe, C.H. Bethke, Maynard Schoneman, D. E. Flood, R. W. Sinclair, V. L. Hein, Wm. Wichelman, Cholm Houghton, L.M. Wood, C.J. Johansen, W.S. Pritchard, Jr., Lawrence McGinness

The first year was spent in getting acquainted with Rotary, getting members and trying to get the new organization off to a successful beginning. This club commenced with a membership of 17. Membership increased gradually from year to year until the time of World War II. At that time, several members were called into service and other members moved away. During the said war, the membership swindled to 9 active members. Thereafter, the membership increased and the club enjoyed a healthy growth. It now maintains a membership of not less than 35 and not more than 50 active members. The club produced a District Governor, N.E. Brear for the year 1950.

On many occasions, the club has received numerous recognitions, plaques and honorable mentions for being an outstanding Rotary Club. Rotary has always encouraged its members to be active in civic affairs. The Garner Rotary Club has taken an active part in many community service projects.

During the year 1950, the club was casting around for some good International Service program that could be used and that could be continued from year to year. It realized that many college and university students from foreign countries were unable to be with their families and friends for Thanksgiving vacation. Each year invitations are extended to some university students from many foreign countries to be guests of the members of the Garner Rotary Club. Through the cooperation of the faculty of the Iowa State University, the students are transported to Garner on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, where the hosts and guests meet. The guests are taken into the Rotarians’ homes for Thanksgiving dinner. The Friday following Thanksgiving is usually spent sight-seeing and Friday evening is a banquet for both the students and Rotarians. Saturday morning the students return to the University.

The Garner Rotary was a sponsoring group for the promotion of Prairie View apartments. All executive offices from the beginning to date are Rotarians.

Other Rotary activities include:

OUR MOTTO, SERVICE ABOVE SELF

Yours for service,

The Rotarians of the Garner Community