History :

In 1918 Francis Jenkins, Homer David and Max Griffith attended a Masonic convention in Pocatello where they were houseguests of Joe Young, a friend in Masonry and Governor of Rotary's twentieth district. Young urged these men to organize a Rotary club in Moscow. As a result of this meeting and subsequent correspondence, the above named men plus John Heckathorn and Glen Sanders met at the Elk's Temple and discussed the matter thoroughly. Accordingly a luncheon meeting was held on Main Street next to City Hall. Present were: Rolston Butterfield, Homer David, C.B. Green, Max Jenkins, George Lamphere, William Lee, G.P Mix, L.F. Parsons, Glen Sanders, Harry Simpson, Frank Stewart and Herman Wilson.

This was the first official meeting of Moscow Rotary. By the meeting of December 22, 1919, for which we have the first complete minutes, most of the details of the organization were complete and the following officers elected: Jenkins, President; Parson, Secretary; Heckathorn, Treasurer; James J. Keane, Sergaent at Arms.

International Charter No. 607 was presented to a delegation of Moscow club officers at a meeting in Spokane, February 1920 by Albert Adams of Atlanta, Georgia, then international president. Time of the meeting was fixed at 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays. The meeting place was changed to the Elks' temple in July 1920. Support of the Chamber of Commerce was one of the first considerations of our club, the minutes of the May 23, 1923 stated "It is the duty of all Rotarians, present and future, to be member of the chamber of commerce."

The Moscow Rotary Club has been a supporter of the University of Idaho beginning with directing and supporting bond issues for group homes, dormitories and Memorial Gymnasium on the University campus.

A major project of the Rotary club has been the support of the Rotary Foundation which was established in 1947 with a goal of furthur understanding and friendly relations among people of different nations. This foundation has made it possible for thousands of scholars to furthur their education abroad. A donation of $1000 is required for a person to become a Paul Harris Fellow to support the program. A total of 31 Paul Harris Fellows have been named in the Moscow club. This includes several persons, not members of the club, but identified as outstanding citizens of Moscow.

In recent years a park was developed in northeastern Moscow and named Jim Lyle Rotary Park. Among the contributions to this park has been the playground equipment, landscaping and paths. Concrete slabs have been installed at the City Park and Moscow Junior High School. These have been very popular since they can be used for basketball, tennis and other games. Plantings were also made in Lieuallen Park in north central Moscow, Anderson Frontier Park. A volleyball court was constructed in East City Park.

Another project of the Moscow club is the purchase and planting of young trees and shrubs for the new arboretum on the campus of the University of Idaho. The club also participated in construction of ponds at the site, fencing for the arboretum boundary and building golf course water hazards.

Moscow Rotary also supports the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) which seeks to identify and foster the development of leadership ability of young people in the age bracket 18-25 through awards which makes possible the attendance at an annual week-long seminar on leadership skills development.

Support of local programs include the Washington-Idaho Symphony, Special Olympics, YMCA, Moscow Swim Team, Meals on Wheels, food/clothing bank, vocational scholarships, Mardi Gras Festival, the Eggan Youth Center, state and local Junior Miss programs and sponsoring the Explorer Scout Search and Rescue Unit. In addition, flower boxes were made for the main street of town and benches for the Latah Care Center. Rescusi-Anni, a rubber dummy used in teaching first aid resuscitation was purchased for the Moscow Fire Department. We have also provided $8,650 in cash, labor and materials for the improvement of Camp Neewaulu on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The Moscow club has hosted visiting Rotary scholars at the University of Idaho. Also, in the interest of promoting education, the club has recognized and given awards to outstanding students from Moscow High School as well as assisted in a program to send young people abroad. Many high school students from abroad have been sponsored and attended Moscow High School while living with Rotary families.

Financial support of service projects is made possible through the annual Rotary potato sale. Idaho potatoes are shipped up from the southeastern part of the state. Amounts sold have been around 24,000 pounds annually. Sales of roses have also helped in supporting many club projects.

The impact of the Rotary Club and its members has been impressive. Members have contributed their time and energy into making Moscow a better place to live. Over the past 80 years, the Moscow Rotary Club has donated over $250,000 to fund community related projects and activities.