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Concord Rotary Club
Concord Rotary Club History
It was September of 1984 and the Elkhart Noon Rotary Club started planning a new Rotary extension in the Dunlap area. It is interesting to note that the early suggestions as to the club names were; Elkhart South-Elkhart Del Sol-Elkhart River Club and Dunlap Rotary.
Rufus King of North Manchester was District 6540 governor at the time. He encouraged the Elkhart noon club to proceed with the extension efforts in the Dunlap area. Rufus designated Past Noon Club President Bill Heinhuis as his special representative in the development of the new club, Bill went on to serve as district governor in Rotary Year 1986-87. Chuck Severs, served as Bill's Chairmen of the Dunlap project, as it was called at the time. Other Elkhart Noon Rotarians serving on the extension committee were; Gordon Anderson, Wayne Barker, Dan Chapman, Gene Flora, Sherm Hansen, Hal Loewen, Rick Nelson, Myrl Nofziger, Dan Nystrand, and Shannon White. It is interesting to note that Rick Nelson is now a fine member of the Concord Rotary Club. Goshen Rotarian Scott Bradford was involved in the early planning meetings assisting the Elkhart club meeting programs for the new provisional Concord club.
The organizing committee made up lists of potential new Rotarians living or working in the Concord area. Starting in November of 1984 contacts were made and five prospective Concord Rotarians met with the organizing committee to develop a new Rotary Club in the Concord area. Concord Rotarians met with the organizing committee to develop a new Rotary club in the Concord area. The initial five persons from the Concord area who met with the organizing committee were: John Deuschle (dentist), Andy Frech (President Ancon Construction), Dick Kemper (President Sailor Mfg.), Dave Nicoson (elementary school principle) and Dave Rushenberg (controller, Leer Industries).
On January 9, 1985 this group met in its first formal club type meeting with special representative Bill Heinhuis and other members of the organizing committee to learn the basics of Rotary. At this point in time Rotary International approved of the extension effort. The Goshen and Elkhart Noon Rotary Clubs agreed to grant territory for the new club in the Dunlap area. Meetings continued on Wednesday of each week to further the organizing effort. It was decided to officially call the new club "The Rotary Club of Concord Township (Elkhart) and to meet as a noon club on Wednesday.
The first official board meeting of the provisional Concord Rotary Club was at 7:00 a.m. on February 1, 1985. Provisional club officers were chosen at that meeting and they were Andy Frech President, Dave Nicoson, President-Elect, John Deuschle, Vice President, Dick Kemper Secretary, and Dave Rushenberg, Treasurer. Board members approved were David D'Arcy, David Nelson, and Stan Reedy. On Monday, February 11,1985 the provisional officers were presented at a noon Elkhart Rotary Club meeting. Several meetings followed, to study the various avenues of Rotary service.
It was September of 1984 and the Elkhart Noon Rotary Club started planning a new Rotary extension in the Dunlap area. It is interesting to note that the early suggestions as to the club names were; Elkhart South-Elkhart Del Sol-Elkhart River Club and Dunlap Rotary.
Rufus King of North Manchester was District 6540 governor at the time. He encouraged the Elkhart noon club to proceed with the extension efforts in the Dunlap area. Rufus designated Past Noon Club President Bill Heinhuis as his special representative in the development of the new club, Bill went on to serve as district governor in Rotary Year 1986-87. Chuck Severs, served as Bill's Chairmen of the Dunlap project, as it was called at the time. Other Elkhart Noon Rotarians serving on the extension committee were; Gordon Anderson, Wayne Barker, Dan Chapman, Gene Flora, Sherm Hansen, Hal Loewen, Rick Nelson, Myrl Nofziger, Dan Nystrand, and Shannon White. It is interesting to note that Rick Nelson is now a fine member of the Concord Rotary Club. Goshen Rotarian Scott Bradford was involved in the early planning meetings assisting the Elkhart club meeting programs for the new provisional Concord club.
The organizing committee made up lists of potential new Rotarians living or working in the Concord area. Starting in November of 1984 contacts were made and five prospective Concord Rotarians met with the organizing committee to develop a new Rotary Club in the Concord area. Concord Rotarians met with the organizing committee to develop a new Rotary club in the Concord area. The initial five persons from the Concord area who met with the organizing committee were: John Deuschle (dentist), Andy Frech (President Ancon Construction), Dick Kemper (President Sailor Mfg.), Dave Nicoson (elementary school principle) and Dave Rushenberg (controller, Leer Industries).
On January 9, 1985 this group met in its first formal club type meeting with special representative Bill Heinhuis and other members of the organizing committee to learn the basics of Rotary. At this point in time Rotary International approved of the extension effort. The Goshen and Elkhart Noon Rotary Clubs agreed to grant territory for the new club in the Dunlap area. Meetings continued on Wednesday of each week to further the organizing effort. It was decided to officially call the new club "The Rotary Club of Concord Township (Elkhart) and to meet as a noon club on Wednesday.
The first official board meeting of the provisional Concord Rotary Club was at 7:00 a.m. on February 1, 1985. Provisional club officers were chosen at that meeting and they were Andy Frech President, Dave Nicoson, President-Elect, John Deuschle, Vice President, Dick Kemper Secretary, and Dave Rushenberg, Treasurer. Board members approved were David D'Arcy, David Nelson, and Stan Reedy. On Monday, February 11,1985 the provisional officers were presented at a noon Elkhart Rotary Club meeting. Several meetings followed, to study the various avenues of Rotary service.