History of Moline Rotary

The Start
The Rotary Club of Moline, Illinois was organized by Richard L. Hosford, William Schulzke, Frank Haynes, A. E. McCurdy, John Sundine, Herman W. Nelson, and Carl Lundberg in the fall of 1914.
 
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Here are some key events in the history of Moline Rotary:

  • 1914  September 29 Rotary Club of Moline was chartered.
  • 1914  October 7 First Meeting in the Manufacturers’ Hotel
  • 1914  November 17, Articles of Incorporation approved by the Secretary of State. 
  • 1914  November - First weekly bulletin published and titled Moline Rotary Smile Service.
  • 1915  Bulletin name changed to The SMILE.
  • 1926  Meetings moved from the Manufacturers’ Hotel to the LeClaire Hotel
  • 1986  Meetings moved to the Moline Elks Club when LeClaire Hotel closed
  • 1987  Meetings moved to the Moline Holiday Inn.
  • 1987  Stormy McCarthy, the first woman to join the club, was accepted as a member
  • 1988  Raised $120,000 for Rotary International Polio Plus campaign.
  • 1996  Stormy McCarthy became the first female president of the Moline Rotary Club.
  • 1997  The Strive Scholarship was started. 
  • 2006  Raised $50,000 for Prospect Park Pavilion renovation.
  • 2007  The meeting place was changed to the Calvary Church of the Quad Cities
  • 2009  The Club moved to the Christ the King Community Center.
  • 2013  Meetings were moved to the University Club, later to Trinity Lutheran Church.
  • 2014  Celebrated 100th Anniversary by constructing Moline Rotary Plaza in downtown Moline, Il.