Stories


Long-time Rotarian Marlyn “retired” from our club Long-time Rotarian Marlyn “retired” this week from our club-moving to Emeritus status. She shared treasured memories of her time including joining as Pella’s very first female member (Rotary started as a men’s service club). Over her years, she has served on countless groups and committees, and her commitment to rotary is unwavering, — she completed a 15 year stint of perfect attendance that included club meetings in Turkey and the English countryside. She was instrumental in our club’s youth programming, youth exchange, RYLA and so much more. Thank you Marlyn for everything!	Long-time Rotarian Marlyn “retired” from our club		2026-07-10 05:00:00Z	0
Passing the Gavel The 2026-2027 Rotary year has officially begun. Thank you to Chris for answering the call to serve and lead as our club President this year— it’s going to be a great one!	Passing the Gavel		2026-07-10 05:00:00Z	0
About Rotary Club of Pella Local business professionals, retirees, and anyone interested in developing their leadership skills and engaging in community activities will find valuable opportunities with the Rotary Club of Pella. We support the objectives of Rotary International as well as the local Pella Club initiatives listed below that truly embody the Rotary pledge of “Service Above Self.” As a Rotarian serving the Pella community, you can choose to participate with the Pella Noon Rotary Club or focus on the Pella Evening Companion Club. Both meeting times focus on fellowship and service opportunities. Pella Rotary Initiatives: Tulip Time: Activities supporting the Pella Historical Society Kerstmarkt: Participating in the market food court to help raise funds for Rotary initiatives Pella Food Shelf: Contributing to their mission Crossroads of Pella: Supporting the Children’s Coat Program Rotary Park: Supporting improvements and maintenance for Rotary Park in conjunction with the City of Pella Rotary Youth Exchange: Facilitating an international student exchange program Please consider joining the Rotary Club of Pella at our next meeting. You are cordially invited to take part in these efforts, and we welcome you to visit during either meeting time.	About Rotary Club of Pella		2026-07-10 05:00:00Z	0
Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick. This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year. The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic. Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley. Read more...	Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
Rotary at the Start of the United Nations Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” Read more...	Rotary at the Start of the United Nations		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
History of Women in Rotary Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings. Read more...	History of Women in Rotary		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.” Read more...	Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0