by Rufus Grisham, Charter President
During the summer of 1956 District Gov. Rex webster made a decision to expand Rotary in Lubbock by organizing a second Rotary Club.
Every District Governor wants to start a new club. I don't know anything about the indoctrination at Lake Placid, but it must have a lot of emphasis on "start a new club" or you may not be accepted in that big Rotary Club in the sky.
At the time I was a member of the Lubbock Rotary Club and Gov. Rex asked me to organize and help start the new club.
We started the project with 12 members from Lubbock Rotary who wanted a smaller club, or a different meeting day or just wanted to get involved in a new club. We also started with a number of suggestions from Rotarians with friends interested in Rotary, but could not be proposed for membership in the Lubbock Rotary because of classification problems.
We were sponsored by the Lubbock Rotary Club, Gordon Thompson, President. They were very supportive and helpful in many ways, including financial.
When we started actively recruiting new members, we uncovered a somewhat difficult and unexpected problem - and that was - what territory would the Lubbock Rotary Club surrender?
The Lubbock Rotary Club was the first and only club in Lubbock, so it was their decision where Southwest could operate. This situation got complicated and a little sticky, so Gov. Rex appointed a negotiating team from Lubbock Rotary with Gordon Thompson as chairman and a team from the new club to work out the details.
The relationship between the clubs had been excellent but were a little strained at this point.
Reason did prevail and a decision was made. Territorial limits were established.
The dividing line was a line extending West down the middle of 19th Street to University and North down the middle of University to Plainview or infinity. all territory South and West of that line was Southwest Lubbock Rotary Club. Any individual whose business was located in that area was eligible for membership (includes Tech and Methodist Hospital).
The Lubbock Rotary Club reserved the right to take members from all of Lubbock while Southwest Lubbock was restricted to the assigned territory.
Don't be too critical of our negotiating team. That was the best deal we could make.
Territorial limits now established, we proceeded to gather our charter group. We started with 29 members which represented a cross section of the business and professional community. Here is a list of charter members:
Allen Ater, Cottonseed Products Retail; David Blackburn, Auditorium Coliseum; John Ross Bradford, College Engineering; H.C. Bulis, Jr., Appliance Wholesale; Ray Chapman, Real Estate; Jack Creel, Advertising; Frank H. Crowell, Fire Insurance; Gregory E. Curry, Life Insurance; Maury J. Day, Trucks Retail; Bill Dorman, Seed Distribution; R.K. Flege, Textile Research; Rufus W. Grisham, Cottonoil Mill; Charles T. Harden, Flowers Retail; Bill Ed McLaughlin, Banking; Dr. Thomas G. Parker, Surgeon; Bill Pendley, Auto Body Manufacturing & Repair; Howard A. Price, Gin Machinery; Dr. Tom Reinke, Radiologist; Dr. John B. Rountree, Pediatrics; Rober H. Rucker, Education Landscape Architecture; Charles E. Smith, Senior Active; Henry E. Speck, Jr., Protestant Minister; Herbert C. Straus, Radio; W. Harrell Spears, Furniture Retail; L.M. Scroggins, Grocery Wholesale; Charles Van Scyoc, Plate Glass Distibutor; Bob L. Williams, Transfer & Storage; Thomas H. (Bud) White, Casualty Insurance; E. E. Baker, Trailers Mfg.
The Charter Banquet and installation of Officers was January 21, 1957 at the Lubbock Club with PDG Phil Burns of Oklahoma City as the principal speaker.
We started our meetings on Monday at noon at the Chicken Shack on 19th. This was not satisfactory-too crowded and too noisy. Next move was to the Ming Tree where we were entertained by the magic of Ted Quan. We then moved to the Spur Restaurant, then to the Johnson House, The Koko Complex, Southern Seas Restaurant, and finally to our present location, the Lubbock Plaza.
We still have three Charter members active in the Club: Bill Dorman, Harrell Spears, and Rufus Grisham.
To keep the momentum going we elected these members-1957 Richard Dickey, Carl Minor; 1959 Max Caraway; 1960 Pug Hamman, Tim Hatch.
This has been a very successful Rotary Club, not because of anyone or any small group. It's easy to start a Club, but hard to keep it going and growing.
that credit is due to the officers and directors who worked diligently for 30 years on worthwhile projects (major projects are Handicapped Park, Ballenger Picnic and Diabetic Camp) and for an energetic, enthusiastic, supportive membership who are always ready to help.
I've been a member of 8 Rotary Clubs - all good - this one is outstanding.
Gov. Rex, we thank you for helping us get started.