History Of Rotary Club:

Rotary was founded in 1905, when an attorney named Paul Harris called together the first meeting of a small group of businessmen in Chicago . The club called was called Rotary because the site of its meetings rotated as various members hosted the meetings.

These early Rotarians developed a simple platform based on service, high ethical standards in business, and the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations. Rotarians were encouraged to apply the ideal of service in their personal, business and community lives.

Within a few years Rotary clubs began springing up all across the country, and eventually in other nations as well.

Rotary came to southern Ohio and experienced the same growth as in other parts of the country. In early 1922 a Greenfield man, Walter Gray, attended one of the weekly luncheons of the Chicago Rotary Club while he was in that city on business. He was so favorably impressed with the activities and fellowship of the club that, upon his return home, he proposed that a similar organization be established in Greenfield . A club had already been established in Chillicothe , and Washington C.H. had followed in 1921 with the Chillicothe club acting as sponsor.

By 1922 the time was right for a Rotary club in Greenfield . The Washington C.H. club assisted in the Greenfield club's formation by acting as sponsor. Merrick E. Hitchcock of the Washington C.H. club prepared a survey of the city of Greenfield and sent it to Robert Patterson, governor of the 10th District. Patterson sent the survey to the central office, and on the basis of his recommendation and the survey results, the Greenfield Rotary Club was established as of May 1, 1922 .

The installation dinner was served by the ladies of the First Presbyterian Church in the gymnasium of McClain High School . Approximately 200 men were present, representing Rotary clubs from surrounding communities. Rotarian Frank Parrett of Washington C.H. served as presiding officer, and charter No. 1177 in the International Association of Rotary Clubs was presented by Governor Robert Patterson to James A. Harps, who was the first president of the Greenfield club.