WHAT IS ROTARY
Rotary is an organization of business and professional people pledged to upholding the highest professional standards. The principal motto of Rotary is “Service Above Self”. The object of Rotary is to encourage and foster high ethical standards in business and applications of the ideal of service to personal, business and community life. Rotary is a worldwide fraternity with clubs in 167 countries. Rotary is well known for its efforts to eradicate Polio in the World.
THE HISTORY OF THE ROTARY CLUB KEY BISCAYNE
In February of 1976 lawyer Norm Roberts suggested to accountant Bob Lowman that Key Biscayne needed a Rotary Club. As a result of Norm having contacted Rotary International Headquarters in Evanston, IL, Mel Greene, District Director 699 Governor’s Representative, called upon him. Mel introduced Roberts and Lowman to Key Biscayne resident Reid Hatfield, a retired lawyer from Michigan, where he had a Rotarian. The Coral Gables Rotary Club, of which both Mel and Reid were members, sponsored the chartering of the new Club, that was being organized by Norm Roberts, Bob Lowman and Reid Hatfield.
The three men set out to enlist other prospective members and on March 2, 1976, Rotary International issued them a charter. The first officers of the club were: Reid Hatfield, President; Norm Roberts, Vice President; Bob Lowman, Secretary; and Ken Lancaster, Treasurer. Charter Night Dinner was held April 26, 1976. The Club banner was approved December 4, 1976.
Articles of Incorporation for the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne, Inc., a non profit corporation were filed with the Florida Secretary of State on January 23, 1979.
The Club met at the Sheraton Royal Biscayne Hotel September 8, 1982, when the meeting place was changed to the Sonesta Hotel. In January of 1979 the club operated a food tent at the Art Festival, and two years later agreed to sponsor the event. Fund raising from this event has increased from less than $3,000 per year to more than $30,000 annually. Since inception, the Key Biscayne Art Festival has raised more than $375,000. Proceeds are used to fund scholarships and grants in our community. On August 4, 1987 the internal Revenue Service determined that the club’s Key Biscayne Foundation, Inc. is exempt from Federal Income taxation.
In addition to the Art Festival, the Rotary Club of Key Biscayne Foundation also hosts an annual Wine Tasting Event in October. The first two wine tastings have raised more than $25,000. Proceeds are used to fund local community and international projects, which may enjoy matching grants by the regional district and, if eligible, by Rotary International. Last year, our Chief Beneficiary was the Diabetes Research Foundation and the School for the Blind in Argentina.
The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne has approximately 40 members in several classifications. The Rotary Club of Key Biscayne and its Foundation host several gatherings throughout the year to promote fellowship among its members.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A KEY BISCAYNE ROTARIAN?
Call Ruben Weisson at 305-416-6440 or send an email to ruben_weisson@ml.com
Visit our website at: http://rotaryclubofkeybiscayne.org