Club History

The Genesis Of

Galena Park/Jacinto City Rotary

The genesis of the Galena Park Rotary Club occurred during the summer or early fall of 1950. The Pasadena , Texas club was involved as the sponsoring club, Hickman Garrett being its representative. Harry Arthur, Alvin Baggett, and Bob Ballew met with Garrett in Arthur's place of business, Harris County Motor Company at 1607 Clinton . Since Harry Arthur's wife, Betty, was the daughter of Hickman Garrett, Harry and his father-in-law were able to keep the lines of communication between the two clubs open, and organizational meetings occurred with regularity.

Soon F. G. Jones, Ray Gardner, Dr. W. C. Odom, and Tom Middleton became a part of the organizing group. Shortly thereafter Rotary International designated Galena Park as a Provisional Rotary Club. On December 6, 1950 , an application for membership was mailed to Rotary International listing 22 charter members. Charter officers were listed as follows: R. D. Ballew, President; Harry Arthur, Vice President; Ray B. Gardner, Secretary; Alvin Baggett, Treasurer; and Joe Chesnick, Sergeant at Arms. The complete list of members of the first Board of Directors also included Dr. W. C. Odom, Harold Kreisler, and F. G. Jones. On December 26, 1950 , Rotary International issued Galena Park its charter.

Regular weekly meetings were to be held on Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. and the club has continued meeting on Wednesdays for over 50 years. Beginning at McCormick's Café at 1912 Clinton Drive , the club has met at the Galena Park Methodist Church , the GP Community Building, and the Jacinto City Community Building while the GP Community Building was undergoing its very recent renovation.

The Rotary Club of GP began the planting of 100 trees in 1954-55 under the 5th President, Wendell Odom. By 1962-63 when Dr. John Nichols served as the 13 th President, membership peaked at 60.

Dr. Gerald Cobb, the 19th president, organized and served as head cook for the first Oyster-Chicken Fry in 1969 and the Million Dollar Meal was first held in 1974-75 with the 25th President being John R. Johnson. The MIllion Dollar meal is still held annually by the club.

Women were first accepted for membership in 1989, and the first three women members were Lori Pasonault, Donna Campbell, and Elinor Crawford. The first African-American member was Terald Clark. By 1990 membership was down to 27 and dropped to 24 in 1991. In 1992, under the 43rd President Jerry Webber, membership began increasing and the first ever (for this club) Co-ed Rotary Golf Tournament was held. In 1994, Dawn Fisher became the first woman president and the 45th President of the Rotary Club of Galena Park.

In 1995-96, the 46th President, Dr. Shirley Neeley successfully petitioned Rotary International and had the club name changed to the RC of Galena Park/Jacinto City. The 48th President, Gerald Joseph was the first African-American president. The club sponsored its first international exchange students during the 49th presidency of Fran Keal and the 50th presidency of Dr. Eileen Brightwell. Dr. Alan Lambert became the Club Historian in 1999. Two members have served the club twice as president: Doyle Allen and Jeff Miller.

The RC of Galena Park/Jacinto City has always been deeply involved in the community. Beginning with the planting of 100 trees in 1954-55, community involvement has remained the center of the club's fundraising. This currently includes funding college scholarships for Galena Park High School seniors, annually totaling more than $15,000, youth baseball teams in both Galena Park and Jacinto City, food drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the landscaping for the Alvin D. Baggett Community Building. Alvin had over 50 years of Perfect Attendance in Rotary, was the Charter Treasurer, and the 3rd President of the Rotary Club of Galena Park/Jacinto City. Alvin lived daily the Rotary motto: Service Above Self.