Local Rotary Club members honor Bob Rogers
By Staff
Kristy Williams Thompson FCT News Intern
If you live and work in Russellville and have a desire to help others, the Rotary Club might be the place for you.
According to Wilbur Underwood, who's been a Rotarian for more than 40 years, the Rotary Club was founded by Paul Harris and two of his friends in Chicago in 1905. They would rotate meetings between each of their offices, thus the name.
Membership grew rapidly and clubs were chartered throughout the world with a motto of “Service above self.”
In honor of the club's founder, the Paul Harris Fellow Award was recently given to Russellville Rotarian Bob Rogers for outstanding community service.
Underwood said, “Bob recognized the need for a full-time industrial recruiter for Russellville and works mightily on the board. We recognized Bob for working for the economy of Russellville and bringing good jobs to Russellville.”
Each year the club recognizes one member for the award by having $1000 donated to the Rotary Foundation in his or her honor.
The Rotary Club has more than 40 members who represent various professions throughout the community and all have a desire to help make their community a better place to live.
Underwood also mentioned Grady Fuller, a retired teacher in his 80's who is over seas distributing Bibles now at his own expense.
Former member John Jolly expressed a desire to establish a scholarship for a graduate from each of the four high schools in Franklin County, so members of the Rotary Club raised the seed money to begin the scholarships.
To become a Rotarian, you must be a professional and proposed by a Rotarian.
