When Paul Harris, a lawyer in Chicago who graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law, founded Rotary in 1905, the name “Rotary” derived from the organization’s policy of rotating meeting sites from one member’s office to another member’s and so on.
Grinnell’s Rotary Club usually hosts its Tuesday meetings at the West Side Family Dining Restaurant, but on Tuesday, Oct. 24, the group rotated to the newly-opened Peace Tree Brewing Company for a combination of fellowship, information, and community outreach as guests were invited from a cross-section of businesses in town.
Rotarians and guests were welcomed by Effie Hall, president of the Grinnell chapter; Megan McKay, owner of Peace Tree; and Jo Becker, Rotary Foundation representative from Grinnell, who informed attendees of the history of Rotary and the organization’s many humanitarian projects.
Becker explained that Rotary, from its beginnings in Chicago in 1905, has grown into a vital international organization—1.2 million members strong—that fights disease, secures clean water, supports children’s health, facilitates economic and community development, and promotes peace and understanding. A primary aim of the organization is the eradication of polio, a goal that is within reach.
At the close of her presentation, Becker introduced Dr. Raynard S. Kington, president of Grinnell College, who informed the audience of the college’s plan to develop what is called the Zone of Confluence, the area along 6th Avenue that connects the college and the town.
“Confluence” means “a coming or flowing together,” and that is precisely what the college seeks to establish. “The goal is for the college to partner with this town to develop economic and social vitality,” he stated, and “to enrich the quality of life for everyone.”
Symbolic of the partnership between the college and the town was a joint grant application submitted to the state under the Iowa Reinvestment Act. The grant request blended campus and city improvements already underway and resulted in the approval of a program whereby “the state will rebate up to $6.8 million in retail sales tax generated by new development to help underwrite the development.” Therefore, Dr. Kington continued, the college is required “to do development that will actually generate sales tax.”
Another example of college-city blending is the Pioneer Bookshop and its location at 933 Main Street. “It turned out to be great,” Dr. Kington exclaimed, referring to the decision to use that location. Results have been so positive, in fact, that the college plans to maintain the bookstore within the Zone of Confluence even after it leaves its present location in two or three years.
Dr. Kington mentioned other ways that the college is interacting with the city such as renting pop-up art spaces, moving offices into the downtown sector, film screenings at the Strand, and plans for a sculpture park at the intersection of Highways 6 and 146.
Dr. Kington’s informative presentation was typical of the speaker session at a weekly Rotary meeting. This occasion had the added opportunity for Rotarians to enjoy fellowship with guests and extend a warm welcome to the newly-opened Peace Tree Brewing Co.