July– The Beginning

 The Kent Rotary Club was elected to membership in Rotary International November 1, 1920.  R.I. officials were at first reluctant to give approval as Kent was considered too small to support a club adequately.  William Walls felt the club would become a vital force in the social, religious and civic life Kent.  A Constitution was adopted October 21, 1920. The club was formally installed December 2, 1920.  William Walls was the first President and the only one to serve two terms as President.  There were 25 charter members.  The first meeting was Tuesday, December 14, 1920 at the Franklin Hotel. Regular noon meetings were held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at the hotel.  Later, Rotary International informed the club it must meet each week.  The club doubled its membership in one year.

August – Early Projects / Programs

 The Crippled Children's Movement (1921), originated by Edgar Allen of the Elyria Rotary Club, was the first project.  The plans included; 1) a listing of all crippled children in Portage County; 2) missionary work among the parents of these children; 3) the clinic; 4) follow up work.  The first published bulletin of the club appeared on November 6, 1921.  This was a single sheet entitled "Kent Rotarian."  The first "Ladies Night" took place on the evening of December 6, 1921.  The club entertained for the first time the boys in the graduating classes of the Kent Schools on May 2, 1922.  This was the beginning of the Boys Club.  The purpose of the club was to encourage each man to make a helpful contact with one boy, to become acquainted with him, and to develop a friendship which would aid the boy at the time in life when he needed guidance.  All of the Kent Boy Scouts were guests at a club meeting on May 28, 1929.  The object of the meeting was to stimulate interest in Scouting. A "Special Fund" was started in 1929 whereby members were fined for being late.  Later, a plate was passed occasionally with the suggestion that loose pennies in Rotarians pockets be deposited therein.  Later, from time to time a small amount in excess of the cost of the meal was promoted.  Over the years contributions were given to the Red Cross, Welfare Association, Community Chest, Boy Scouts, Roosevelt High School Band, Recreation Fund, and other Projects.

September – The Great Depression of the 1930’s

 There was a considerably loss in membership some of which was due to the financial depression throughout the country.  Membership as of June 30, 1931 was 63, compared with 71 on June 30, 1930.  No names were added to the membership list in 1931.  When it was reported students were withdrawing from Kent State College due to the lack of funds the club created a student loan fund.  The loans were to be paid back after graduation.  The club adopted the name "Rose Green Memorial Fund" in memory of Miss Green, the principal of South and DePeyster Schools for many years.  A garden plot of 10 acres on the Grant Longcoy farm was for unemployed men to raise vegetables.  The harvest furnished food for many tables.  The annual dues were reduced from $25.00 to $20.00 and later, reduced once again to $15.00.  President William W. Reed and President-elect Amos Heer issue a statement which was printed in the "Rotareminder" indicating if necessary, in individual cases members may have lunch at home but do attend the meeting afterward.  Due to the economic conditions, the morale of the average citizen was low and this was reflected in one's attitude toward all activities, even extending into Rotary. 

October - Traditions Started and Continued

During the first year the club established an enviable reputation for singing.  Frank Elgin, the father of Mildred Elgin Bumphrey, was the song leader and the club soon became recognized throughout the district for singing.  At the meeting of July 17, 1928, President Richards said there were too many "Mr.s" in the club and offered a prize to the Rotarian who could give the first names of all members present.  John Diehl started, but called Emmet Garrison "Max"; Roy Smith then took up the list but failed on "Doc" Dumm; Fred Gressard knew "Doc's" name was George, but when he reached A.L. Walker he could not remember "Art." Nick Ulrich was able to finish the list.  (Editor's note: This could well have been the beginning of addressing fellow Rotarians by their first names.}    

November - The Auction

A significant event occurred at the meeting on March 16, 1971 with Jim Myers as program chairman for the day.  There was a need to raise $325.00 for the Amigo de las Americas program and the decision was made to have an auction on items donated.  Ron Roskens was the auctioneer and the club raised $812.50.  The auction on April 25, 1973 held at the KSU Schwebel Room raised $2.4867.43 for Kentway.  In 1974 the annual auction brought in $3,336.00 for the bicycle trail.  In 1976 $3,647.00 was raised for Kent Historical Society's restoration of the Erie Station and Amigo de las Americas.  The auction in 1977 with Ron Roskens returning as President of the University of Nebraska, he said "Get comfortable, I don't want you in pain when you give."  A new record of $4,468 was raised.  Money was distributed to the new hospital and the Kent Free Library.  The 1979  auction brought in $12,000.  Auctioneer Ron Roskens once again set a record breaking $15,000 in 1980.  Most of this money went for the erection of a gazebo on the square.  In 1985 with Glenn Saltzman the auctioneer, $19,093.39 was raised.  The major recipient was the donation of $10,000 for downtown lighting.  This annual auction continues with much success at the Rusty Nail, raising between $20,000 and $30,000 each year.  Income is now placed in the club's foundation and distributed from there.    

 December – Women in RotaryThe issue of women in membership in Rotary was raised.  As of 1983 the Rotary International proposal to eliminate membership restrictions by gender was defeated by the Council on Legislation.  This issue was to be considered once again in 1985.  During the Rotary year, 1986-87, Rotary did not appeal the court decision regarding membership for women and obeyed the decision in the United States to allow women to be accepted into club membership on the same basis as men.  In 1987-88, Donna Lightel, Superintendent of Kent City Schools, was the first women to join our club.  The second woman was Anita Herington, a member of the administrative staff of Kent Sate University.  During 1989-90- five more women joined:  Barbara Bamberg, Carmen Celigo, Suzanne Hetrick, Nancy Nihiser and Marge Young.  In 1998 Pamela Petrus made history as the first female Kent Rotary Club President.  Other women serving as Presidents were Rebekah Wright Kulis, 2004, and Mary Beth Harper, 2008.  Bonnie Housely from another club was the first female District 6630 Governor in 1997.  When the club history of the last 25 years is available one may read of the many contributions by women in our club.