Club History

Oxford Rotary Club

The First Five Years

1965-1970

On February 17, 1965, Robert Hefner and Robert Miller met with the representatives of the Hamilton Rotary Club. On March 3, Hefner, Miller and six others met at the Gaslight Manor for the organizational meeting. On May 1, Miller and Ralph Fey represented the prospective Oxford Club at the District 667 Conference inCincinnati.

May 12, first officers of the yet to be chartered club were: F. Don James, President; Ralph N. Fey, Vice President; and C. K. Williamson, Secretary-Treasurer, During nine weekly organization meetings Rotary Information talks were given by Paul Armstead and former District Governors Don Meeks of Hamilton and Bill Hiestand of Eaton. Oxford Village Manager Leonard Howell, who later became a member of the club, presented the first program by an outside speaker.

June 23, 1965, in the Heritage Room of the Miami University Center District Governor Charles E. Frey, Springfield, presented the charter to the newly formed Oxford Rotary Club. It was a grand evening shared with Rotarians and their ladies from throughout District 667. Shortly thereafter the members were disappointed to learn that Don James was leaving Oxford to assume the Vice Presidency of the University of Rhode Island. On July 19, Vol. 1 No. 1 of “News and Views” the first Club Bulletin was published.

Events inaugurated in 1965 which have since become Oxford Rotary traditions are the Annual Oxford Rotary Family Picnic and the Annual Rotary Ann Christmas Party.

In 1966, following his presidential terms as successor to Don James, Ralph Fey received what was to become the traditional “promotion” from president to Bulletin Editor. In April, Oxford Rotarians and their wives attended the District Conference at Miamisburg, the first of many similar regional gatherings. In June, Bob Miller was our first Rotary International Convention Delegate at Denver, Colorado; all club officers attended their first Rotary District Assembly at Hamilton; and the first anniversary celebration of the club’s founding started another tradition. Other 1966 firsts were the hosting of Jean-Paul Simet, Rotary Fellow from France at Miami University, and Harold Shellhouse’s production of the outstanding club membership directories which continue to be useful to and much appreciated by the members.

In 1967, Edwin Fulwider designed the “Oxford Towers” symbol featured on the club banner and on the back cover of this publication. The Valentine party for Rotary Anns each February became a “Tradition”. In August of 1967 Bob Hefner made the first contribution to the voluntary Birthday Fund to be used for Rotary service projects.

Our first experience with a Rotary International Group Exchange came in May of 1968 when seven Japanese visitors spent two days in Oxford with Rotarians and their families. Truly a great experience in international appreciation and understanding.

By 1969 it was apparent that club members were in earnest about meeting attendance standards and the pleasures of “making up” in foreign lands.

A 1970 highlight was the Inter-district meeting at Hueston Woods when Rotary International President-elect, William Walk, was the honored guest. Five years of emphasis on the ideal of service by each Oxford Rotarian in his personal, business and community life was marked by a memorable Fifth Anniversary Dinner on June 26, 1970. Retiring president Kirk Mee and incoming president John Dome accorded special recognition to former presidents Fred Brower, Bob Miller and Bud Williamson for their perfect attendance for the five years of the club’s existence. — F.F.B., R.N.F., R.J.M.

1970-1975

The progress of the Oxford Rotary Club over the second five years of its existence may well be compared to that of a successful marriage. During the first five years, the glamour and ardor go through a period of adjustments between the contracting parties so the second quintade is one of decorous (but not necessarily monotonous) adjustment to an established pattern that marks the achievement of a stable union.

As our club activities assume the patterns that are laid down by Rotary International, we tend to carry on in an accepted fashion with respect to our International, District and Local obligations. This sequence was well represented in one of our outstanding projects, viz,, the Israeli-United States International Good-will exchanges. After a visit by six young Israeli men in 1973, it was arranged for five young business or professional men from our district to spend a five weeks tour of Israel in March-April of 1974. The leader of this group was selected from our club and R. Kirk Mee conducted our side of this exchange in superb fashion. Our further interest in international affairs is indicated by the activities of Dean Bud Williamson who has largely been responsible for the selection of four Rotary Fellows from our district for study abroad during the past five years.

Locally, we have continued our support of an annual representative to the Buckeye Girls’ State and in sending delegates from the local Talawanda High School to the World Affairs Institute. To give local young people an insight into the activities of a Rotary Club, we have welcomed two high school seniors to each of our noon luncheon meetings.

Within this five year period, twelve new members have joined our club and been duly assigned to positions on our several committees. — R.A.H.

1975-1980

The first ten years of Oxford Rotary were brought to a close with a gala celebration at Hueston Woods Lodge. Present at this party were Hamilton Rotarians Bob Farst, and Paul Armstead and District 667 Rotarians Jim Valentine and Bill Hiestand who helped us find our way in the formative years when nearly every new decision set a precedent. These had been the years of our growth and maturity as a club. Oxford Rotary had largely developed and crystallized its unique character and personality stressing attendance, quality speakers and programs, and an annual series of social programs which gave added meaning to Oxford Rotary membership.

 A club effort was directed to the question of a major community service project. A proposal by president Ken Bernard, resulted in the current “Outstanding Teacher Award” which hopefully will continue as long as it serves a useful purpose. Still other notable events occurred over this time span. Oxford Rotary hosted a Group Study Team from India and, in return, Coe Potter led a Group Study Team to India.

All that Oxford Rotary has experienced served to prepare us for our greatest experience of all. In 1978-1979 Bob Miller was selected to serve as Governor of District 667. Although many very fine Rotarians had preceded him in this honor, Bob set a standard throughout that none will soon surpass.

This service as District Governor culminated with the District Conference hosted by Oxford Rotary in Cincinnati. At the end of this conference, Rotarians from other clubs openly stated that it will be long before other district conferences will match the one hosted in Cincinnati.

Since then we have continued to do justice to the principles of Rotary. When District 667 had a special fund drive, Oxford Rotary gave the highest per-capita support. —  A.G.L.

1980-1985

What can be written about the Oxford Rotary Club during its last quintade of existence and its members’ service to their community? The strengths of the group continue to be: outstanding and timely weekly programs; good attendance in spite of a membership which travels widely yet conscientiously makes up all over the globe; and warm friendships among leaders of the Oxford community. The club continues to search for a major annual super-event to foster team spirit and every member participation in fund raising for worthwhile philanthropy.

In 1982, while making up in Wellington, New Zealand, Bill Pulley became acquainted with the Presidential Medallion. Bill generously provided our club with a medallion that bears the name of each succeeding club president and is worn by our club president at each meeting.

For the Historic Record: Fred Brower and Bob Miller continue to maintain perfect attendance for the entire twenty years of the club’s existence…In August ’84, after 19 years, the weekly Wednesday noon luncheon regular meeting place was changed from Park Place Restaurant to larger facilities at Westgate Sirloin Steakhouse…As this is written the Oxford Club is one of more than 21,000 Rotary Clubs with a total membership of almost one million in 159 countries and geographical regions…Our club continues to sponsor a higher than average number of outstanding recipients of Rotary Fellowships for studies abroad…We miss Bob Hefner,  a super Rotarian. Charter member Bob established the Birthday Fund later named in his honor. He authored a bound volume of biographical resumes of the members of the club. He was named Rotarian of the Year. — R.N.F.

1985-1990

As the Oxford Rotary Club moved forward toward its 25th year of founding, it would appear that a period of soul searching began. Records show the Board and members spending many meetings reviewing procedures for accepting new members. The ever present “30% Rule” was reevaluated. Finally the Cox Committee was established to homogenize the many membership issues into the report that was accepted by the Club.

Membership issues were formalized just in time to apply to the highly controversial “Women in Rotary” issue. Rotary international under the directive of the U.S. Supreme Court declared membership for women a standard in all clubs. The Oxford Club Board of Directors quickly went on record as proceeding with a positive attitude on this matter. Shortly thereafter Mrs. Avis Cullen, a long time community leader elected an honorary member of the Club. The first regular lady member was Suzanne H. Summers, to be followed by many other women, some who found Rotary not what they had hoped and dropped out. Those who retained their membership formed a core of devoted, productive Rotarians whose contribution has greatly strengthened Oxford Rotary.

Community and world wide efforts continued at an increasing speed and size as the Club matured. A grant of six thousand dollars over a three year period went to the McCullough-Hyde Hospital Campaign. A pledge of $12,500 was made to Rotary International for its Polio Plus Program aimed at eliminating polio throughout the world. A scholarship program for outstanding Talawanda seniors was initiated which has grown in value and number of grants. The Hefner Fund named to recognize Charter

Member Robert A. Hefner was formalized during this period. The Hefner Fund became the reservoir to house funds to finance worthy community and international projects undertaken by the Club. Feeding the Hefner Fund were member contributions and Club fund raising projects. The most noteworthy projects during this period were the ROASTS of Club member Richard “Dick” Shrider, Miami University Athletic Director and Oxfordian Webb Eubank, national football coaching legend.

Aging of the membership became apparent at this time. This was evidenced by the Board’s decision to purchase a sound amplification system for use during Club meetings. A major fire at the Westgate Steak House, the Club’s meeting place, resulted in some Club property loss and a move to a temporary meeting site in Miami University’s Shriver Center.

As the Rotary year 1989-90 drew to a close, the nine charter members still active in the Club, awaited with pride and expectation the 25th birthday of the upstart Club that they had founded so long ago.  Oxford Rotary celebrated its 25th Anniversary on June 13, 1990.

1990-1995

The 25th anniversary celebration in Shriver Center’s Heritage Room commenced a new period in the history of the Oxford Rotary Club. The district governor, six past district governors, representatives from the sponsoring club (Hamilton, 39 local Rotarians and 56 guests attended.

Having out-lived several commercial restaurants, the Club held its meetings at the Bethel AME church on South Beech Street. A Rotary Make-up Hotline was created for members to schedule car-pooling to visit area clubs. The Christmas Party continued to be a popular event.

In 1990, under the leadership of Jim Rohr, the Rotary Golf Scramble was initiated. As years passed, the event became the Club’s primary fund raising project, the proceeds from which have been used to award scholarships to local high school graduates. From three $500 scholarships the first year, the awards grew to six $1,000 grants in 1995. The Club members were proud of their 100% participation in the Rotary International program to eliminate polio. The Bob Hefner Fund continued to thrive, especially after it received tax exempt status with the principle beneficiaries being the Talawanda School system (Youth Emergency and Enhancement, Superintendent’s Special Fund, baseball field at the Middle School and Occupational Work Adjustment) as well as Oxford Parks and Recreation and Oxford Youth Association baseball fields.

One of the highlights of this period was a visit of the Group Study Exchange Team from Brazil. Gifts to the Rotary Foundation, which helped make the aforementioned visit possible, approached $8,000 with 43 Paul Harris Fellows and 33 Sustaining Members (100% of the Club) participating. To date, the Club had contributed more than $64,000 since its founding.

For reasons beyond our control, once again we lost our meeting site and moved across the street to Michael’s Elegant Gatherings. — R.J.M.

 1995-2000

One of the highlights during this five-year period was the visit to the Club by a Group Study Exchange team from Australia. This visit occurred during President Earl Folker’s term in office (1997-98.) The Team represented District 9640, located in New South Wales and Queensland. Our Club rolled out the “red carpet” for this delightful group of “Aussies.” We then sponsored Julie Lindamood, and employee of WOXY, as a member of the District 6670 Group Study Exchange visit to Australia.

Oxford Rotary continued its tradition of community service. Rich Daniels started it off in 1995 when he was president. Rich appointed a committee, headed by Coe Potter, to meet with representatives from the Lions and Kiwanis Clubs to select a community project that would involve all Oxford Service clubs. The group decided on the cemetery clean-up project that continues to this day.

The Hefner Fund Project continued as a community service project. The committee, under the outstanding leadership of Phil Ward, had the responsibility for the selection of Oxford organizations to receive funds from Oxford Rotary. The committee also arranged for the “Teacher of the Year” award that is given annually to an outstanding teacher in the Talawanda School District. The committee recognition of the organizations and the Teacher of the Year award took place during a special luncheon chaired by Ward.

The Club’s primary fund raising activity continued to be the annual Golf Outing. This project was started in 1990 by Jim Rohr. Since its inception, thousands of dollars received from the Golf Outing Project have been awarded in $1,000 college scholarships to deserving Talawanda High School graduates. Rohr was honored as “Rotarian of the Year” in 1998 for his role as founder, general chairman and promoter of the Oxford Rotary Golf Outing.

Bob Myers, our “Mr. Oxford Rotary Foundation,” received recognition for his continued stellar performance in the promotion of the Rotary Foundation (the members accepted Bob’s sometimes lengthy praises for the Foundation knowing that it was a worthy cause.) In 1991, Bob was presented the prestigious Rotary Award by then District Governor-elect Bob Hadley for his outstanding leadership in establishing the Oxford Rotary Club as one of the top clubs in District 6670 in percentage of Paul Harris Fellows and contributions to Rotary International.

2000-2005

Linda Balogh became president in 2000. During her term of office, Linda and Char Rohr spearheaded a successful effort in receiving a $1,700 grant from the Rotary District 6670 Community Association Program (CAP). The grant helped fund Dr. Jim Thomas’ Pediatric Dentist Clinic that provided free dental care for disadvantaged children. The program also included an educational curriculum on Oral Health Care that was presented in local schools.

Linda prepared “Life Story” profiles of club members. During her term, Linda presented a profile of an individual member that was read during 40 weekly meetings. This project provided our club with an increased appreciation and awareness of the talents and achievements of our members.

September 11, 2001, occurred during Jim Haley’s Presidency. This terrible tragedy has forever changed our lives.

Bill Schilling, Vocation Director, finished his term of office in 2002. During Bill’s years of service, youth activities included the Job Shadowing Project, a 4-way Speech Contest, and Youth Leadership Training.

In 2002-03, the Club hosted two Rotary Ambassador Scholars from South Korea for the year. The club meeting location was changed from Millett Hall to the present location in the Elms Hotel.

President Tom Collins (2002-03) led the effort to establish the Founders Fund, a charitable endowment for the purpose of supporting future improvements in Oxford through our Rotary Club. The initial deposit in the Fund was $2,000.

The Club participated in community projects including the WMUB Pledge Drive, school supplies for needy children, and the cemetery clean-up. A new project headed by Julie Nickell, Chair of the Community Services Committee, involved the “Red, White and Blue” program for encouraging member participation in civic endeavors.

The Rotary International slogan for 2003-2004 was “Lend A Hand”. President Jim Rohr and Char Rohr introduced a new “lend a hand” program that they heard about from a Rotary Club in North Carolina. The program involved the distribution of picture dictionaries to school children. Thanks to the efforts of Jim and Char Rohr, funds were raised to provide picture dictionaries to 240 third grade students in the Talawanda District. The project that continues to the present time has been named to honor Sandy Hormell who passed away in 2003. Sandy, a highly regarded educator and friend of many Rotarians, was the wife of Rotarian Ken Hormell.

Outgoing President Rohr appointed ad hoc historical committee consisting of past presidents, Fred Brower, Bill Pulley and Past District Governor, Bob Miller, to prepare a report on the history of the Oxford Rotary Club for the Club’s 40th Anniversary.

One of the memorable “Service above Self” events that occurred during Paige Wood’s Presidency was the “Challenger Tournament” for disabled youngsters that was held in the Oxford Community Park the last weekend in July, 2004. Paige did a great job in planning and organizing the clubs participation. Jim Hart, chair of the Challengers Baseball Tournament said that it was the “best tournament ever, including the evening supper.” Oxford Rotary and the Oxford Lions club, the sponsoring clubs, each contributed $1,343.36 for the supper expenses.

Other Community service events included the Halloween party for the children at One Way Farm, support for the Community Resource Center, and a plan to again sponsor the Cincinnati Zoo outing on June 17, 2005.

One significant change for Oxford Rotary was the resignation of Will Keebler in 2004 as Treasurer. Will ably served the Club as Treasurer for longer than most of us remember. Bill Schilling succeeded Bob Fawley as Chair of the Golf Outing Committee. The Golf Outing Project continued to be the Club’s primary fund raiser.

In past years, the Installation of Officers Ceremony was an evening event. In 2005, the ceremony was held during the regular noon meeting on Wednesday, June 15th. The hours were extended from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Rotary spouses and friends were included. Gil Siegel was installed as President for 2005-2006 as Rotary began its 41st year.