Joliet Rotary Celebrates Historic Beginnings in Centennial Year

The Rotary Club of Joliet became a notable part of RI and its history not long after that - but it didn’t happen in the typical way other RI clubs emerged in those early years. With roots tracing back to 1910, Joliet Rotary began as a Study Club that promoted “the study of business building, efficiency and character building”. The founding group is documented as having 16 members, including John McGuire as president. 

 

During that same year, club member George M. Lennon attended a convocation for the proposed Arthur Frederick Sheldon School of Business and was very impressed by the school. Shortly after, Lennon arranged for one of its lecturers’ to teach a course in business development, productivity, and character-building on a bi-weekly basis in Joliet.  After classes ended, the Study Group continued meeting weekly, naming their group Rotary Club due to a weekly rotation of meeting chairs.

 

Ironically when the Joliet study club formed in 1910 calling themselves the Rotary Club, members had no idea that Rotary International existed and that other Rotary Clubs were forming throughout the United States at that very moment. At the time, it seemed that the same name was merely a coincidence. 

 

The following year, the Joliet group learned of Rotary International, attempted to join – and were “firmly” rejected based on the size of their city population. Rotary International’s bylaws prohibited clubs forming in cities with populations less than 75,000. In 1911, the City of Joliet’s population was approximately 40,000 – so they didn’t qualify.  But even with prohibiting bylaws, the Joliet club persevered toward its goal of becoming a charter club in Joliet and a member of Rotary International. 

 

“It’s interesting and very heartwarming that the origins of Joliet Rotary reflect not only the same excellent values we have today, but they also mirror the determination and passion of our members, as well as the City our club calls home,” said Mike Rittof, co-chair of the Joliet Rotary Centennial Committee and past club president. “We are very proud of that, as well as what we’ve accomplished a club throughout history.” 

 

Perserverance did pay off and the tide began turning for the Joliet club in 1913 when member Harvey Weeks took a leadership role in shaping of a very successful Joliet Business Show and Efficiency Congress. Weeks and the Club created a very successful event. The business show was highly publicized in the Chicago Tribune and other media, and was applauded by business and community. One person who attended the event praised the “vibrancy of the club and the business show itself,” was RI delegate, Chelsey R. Perry of Chicago. He immediately called for a Rotary International meeting, “to discuss ways that the gentlemen of the Joliet Study Club be granted permission into Rotary International.”

 

Rotary International agreed with Perry and amended the organization’s bylaws to include membership eligibility to cities with less than 75,000 in population. On August 1, 1913 the Rotary Club of Joliet became an official club and Weeks served as the first president. There were 25 documented members. One month later, the Rotary Club of Joliet and its 25 documented members were inducted into Rotary International and have gone down in history as the first city to form a club with a population less than 75,000 in population. 

 

“Since that time, the city of Joliet’s population has grown to nearly 150,000 - twice the size stated in the old RI bylaws of 75,000 needed for membership,” said Ed Dollinger, co-chair of the Joliet Rotary Centennial Committee and past club president. “It’s really amazing that a small Joliet study club of 16 members has expanded to well-over 100 women and men now serving as Joliet Rotarians - each humbly continuing the tradition of giving to their community.” 

 

The Joliet Club is the 78th Rotary Club chartered worldwide with membership meeting weekly at the Joliet Junior College Renaissance Center.