Stratford Rotary Club News/Information

THE HISTORY OF THE STRATFORD ROTARY CLUB

Stratford Rotary Cluh History

The Rotary Club of Stratford Charter Night was May 1.7, L958 at a gala event, which had the

distinction of being Rotarly's first international Charter Night. More than 700 Rotarians, of

whom approximately 70 were from other countries, were in attendance at the Shakespeare

Theater. Since that Charter night, hundreds of business owners, corporate leaders,

professionals, educators, public servants, civic leaders, clergy and persons from a variety of

other disciplines in the working community have come together as members of the Club to

contribute their time and talents for the betterment of our community.

During the L960s, the Club continued its relationship with Shakespeare Theater hosting the

Vienna Boys Choir for several years which was the club's major fundraiser. The Club paid for

the construction of playground equipment at 4 locations throughout the Town during that

decade.

ln the 1970's, the Club was instrumental in starting the Stratford Volunteer Emergency Medical

Service. The Club began giving scholarships to a student at Stratford HS named after Al

Vermyla,,the Club's second president. His family has graciously donated to that scholarship

every year until recently. We also award a scholarship to a Bunnell HS student and that

scholarship is named after Lewis Chaplowe. Lew began the Stratford Rotary Club Foundation in

the 70's which has helped finance the scholarships, President's Award, Community lmpact

Grants, and several other community projects.

ln the 1980's Rotary lnternational allowed women to join the Clubs, and it started the Polio Plus

Campaign. Over the years, Stratford Rotary has donated over $30,000 to assist in the

eradication of Polio allover the world. Rl has raised billions of dollars and have eradicated Polio

in all but 3 countries and we continue that crusade today with the help of the Gates Foundation

and the United Nations. ln fact, Rl is the only service organization that has a vote in the United

Nations General Assembly.

ln the 199Os the Club began the Stratford Community Fund which also gives smallgrants for

organizations toward.scholarships for Sterling House summer camp, funds for the Post Proms,

Hearts for Hope, 1"639 Theater Company and many more. A group of Stratford Rotarians visited

Stratford, England Rotary Club in 1992 to celebrate Shakespeare's Birthday and for fellowship'

ln the 2000's we raised over $80,000 in money and in-kind services to build a house with

Habitat for Humanities on Agresta Terrace. Over the years the Club has replaced windows,

painted homes for families but the Habitat House was quite a project with the members also

donating their time during the construction phase.

ln the 2010s decade, we introduced the Community lmpact Grant and the 60 for 60th

Anniversary Program. Some 15 organizations received funding ranging from $500 to $10,000.

We also began to President's Award of a total $10,000 to one or several organizations or

projects as determined by the Club's President and agreed upon by the Club. We have funded

Emerge Replacement Windows, K-9 dog for the Police Department, special scanner for the

Historical Society, Replacement Roof at Bethlehem House and this year Home for the Brave,

Veterans Museum and the VFW will receive funding as the Club recognizes our country's

veterans. The Community lmpact Grant continues with grants of up to 52,500 with applications

accepted in September and March. We also established a Vocation Scholarship in both schools.

Now in the 2020's decade, the Club had its first member become District Governor with Jeff

Krause and Stephanie Philips will follow in 2A25-26. The Club Foundation has taken a more

active role in the Club to be the fiduciary of some the Club's fundraisers to allow sponsors and

individuals to deduct their donations. lt will also fulfill its obligation for charitable giving. We

have established an lnternationalCommittee to meet our lnternationalservice commitment.

The Club was involved in the District's Community Service Day with the planting of pollinator

gardens at the Library, the Judson House, and trees at Clover Field. We look forward to this

year's project.

ln allthe Club members have enjoyed purchasing and distributing turkeys every year for

Sterling House, giving allthe students in grade 3 a dictionary, grade 5 a thesaurus, hosting the

special needs students at Christmas time with our own Santa Claus, organizing Virtual Bingo,

and sponsoring the lnteract Clubs at Bunnell and Stratford HS. We have supported

international projects such as student exchanges, the purchase of an ambulance in Nigeria and

the Rotary District Water Project in Kenya. This year we are supporting the Gift of Life Program

We donate bike helmets and locks to the South End Community Center for their Bike Rodeo

each summer along with a hot dog picnic, We support the Stratford Food Banks each year, and

with the assistance of the District's Managed Grants, we funded the Mobile Dental Clinic with

the Health Dept, the new roof at Bethlehem House and the Dictionaries and Thesauruses.

Stratford Rotarians live by its motto "Service Above Self" both monetarily and with our time

and talents. All Rotary Clubs are comprised of men and women who have been successful in

their chosen fields, who have subscribed to honorable and ethical standards in their personal

and vocational conduct, and who have a desire to do good things for other people. All the

members look forward to another 60 years of Service.

Upcoming Rotary Events

 We all need the full attention of our members, and the sooner the better to sign up for what you can help with. Early registration for these events for our club greatly assists with their success.