Jackson (TN) Rotary - Press Kit

Rotary Founder, Paul Harris, formed the world’s first service club in Chicago, Illinois in 1905 – Rotary Club. Harris wished to recapture the friendly spirit he had felt among businesspeople in the small town where he grew up. The name “Rotary” was derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices. Just twelve years after that first club was formed, the “Rotary Club of Jackson” was chartered on August 1, 1916, making it only the fifth Rotary Club in the State of Tennessee and making it the oldest service club in Jackson, Tennessee. Since that time the Club has become one of the largest service organizations in the region with well over 130 members representing virtually all areas of the business and public service arenas in the community.

Mission

The main objective of the Club is service – in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the region and world. Club volunteers build goodwill, promote humanitarian service, and encourage high ethical standards in all vocations. The Rotary International Motto, “Service Above Self” has been wholeheartedly adopted by the Club.

Membership & Leadership

Club members are professional men and women who work as volunteers to improve the quality of life in their home and world community. Club membership represents a cross-section of local business and other professional leaders. The Club meets weekly on Wednesdays at 12:00pm at the Jackson Country Club at 31 Country Club Lane in Jackson, Tennessee. The Club, as are all Rotary clubs, is a non-political, non-religious organization open to all cultures, races and creeds.

There are approximately 130 members of the Jackson Rotary Club. Worldwide, there are over 1.2 Million Rotary club members working in 31,000 Rotary clubs in more than 160 nations.

Though historically an all-male organization, women first admitted as members in Rotary International (RI) in 1987, are the fastest-growing segment of Rotary International’s membership. There are approximately 2,000 women club presidents, and women are rapidly assuming regional leadership roles.

Service Today

Jackson Rotary Club volunteers initiate community projects that address many of today’s most critical issues, such as violence, drug abuse, youth and poverty. Projects focus on youth, for example, to address challenges facing young people today. Through the Club-sponsored Interact Club at Southside High School, young people in the community learn leadership skills and the importance of community service.

Specific examples of Jackson Rotary Club projects for the 2008-2009 Rotary Year, the first of the second century of Rotary International and the Club’s 91st year of service to our community are:

15th Annual Rotary Classic NAIA Women’s Basketball Tournament
- November 2008 at Union University’s Delay Gymnasium;
- Proceeds to benefit the community

El Ayundante International Service Project
- The Jackson Rotary Club’s first international service project will take place in 2008-2009 in Leon, Nicaragua;
- Rotarians from Jackson, Tennessee will work with Rotarians from Leon to share business best practices, as well as continue construction of an orphanage, library, and school for the children of the area.

Contact Information

Kevin Barron, chair of public relations committee

731-541-7083

kevin.barron@wth.org