RESOLUTION NO. RS2014-1004

A resolution recognizing The Rotary Club of Nashville as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

WHEREAS, during 2013-14, The Rotary Club of Nashville, Tennessee’s oldest and largest civic organization, is commemorating its 100th anniversary. The first event took place in November, 2013 with a celebration of the first Club meeting held 100 years prior on November 19, 1913; and

WHEREAS, on the evening of February 22, 2014, the Rotary Club of Nashville will celebrate its 100th anniversary at a cocktail supper at the Omni Hotel. The Nashville club received its Rotary charter on February 14, 1914; and

WHEREAS, in honor of this milestone and in continuing its tradition of service to the community, the Nashville Rotary Club; through its Nashville Rotary Service Trust will fund a legacy project to the city. The Club selected to provide a new Pavilion in Watkins Park, Nashville oldest public park located in North Nashville. The construction of the pavilion will complete the Club’s vision for the park which began in 1990 when the Club helped to refurbish the park with new sidewalks, lighting, benches, trees and shrubs; a project now totally over $175,000; and

WHEREAS, Nashville Rotary’s progress over these 100 years has influenced and matched the tremendous growth of our great city and its surrounding communities. This celebrated past bodes well for an equally bright future; and

WHEREAS, Rotary International was founded in Chicago in 1905 by a young lawyer named Paul Harris and three of his friends. The group met weekly and rotated the meetings between their offices. This rotation led them to call themselves a Rotary Club. Three years later, San Francisco formed the second club, and the concept began to spread across the United States; and

WHEREAS, The Rotary Club of Nashville was organized on November 19, 1913, when thirteen businessmen of the city first gathered at the office of James A. Cayce, President of B. H. Steif Jewelry Company. Nashville became the 94th Rotary Club in a worldwide organization that now numbers more than 34,000 clubs with over 1.2 million members in nearly every country in the world; and

WHEREAS, throughout these 100 years, members have carried out the ideal of “Service Above Self” and have provided leadership for many of our city’s important charitable organizations and many humanitarian causes. Some tangible examples of Nashville Rotary’s early influence in our city include helping to fund the original Y.M.C.A. and a second Y.M.C.A. for African Americans; purchase of a farm for returning war hero - Alvin C. York; purchase of the first bookmobile for Nashville; raised funds during World War II to buy a 173-foot sub-chaser for the Navy. Bond sales totaled more than $2,000,000; established the Edgehill School for the Mentally Retarded, the first such facility in the city; in 1964 the Club built a new wing for the Children’s Science Museum to mark the club's 50th anniversary; sponsored the first annual Junior Achievement Trade Fair. Today, Rotary focuses much of its time and resources in the Watkins Park community in North Nashville. From literacy to housing to hunger programs; Rotarians work hand in hand with local organizations to support their programming efforts; and

WHEREAS, it has been a tremendous 100 years, and the Rotary Club of Nashville, the eighth largest Club in the world, has never been stronger. With more than 550 members, the club begins its second centennial with appreciation for the past and excitement for the future. Here’s to the next 100 years; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council recognizes The Rotary Club on their 100th Anniversary and wish them every continued success in their future endeavors.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as recognizing The Rotary Club of Nashville as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this Resolution to be presented to The Rotary Club of Nashville.

Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Jason Holleman, Megan Barry

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred to:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	February 18, 2014
Adopted:	February 18, 2014
Approved:	February 19, 2014
By: