The Past 25 Years

  This work is based upon the marathon reading of nearly 1,200 Axles, the weekly publication of the Rotary Club of Oswego. Aside from a vow to never again read an Axle, the pattern developed that the history of the club should be divided into the sections which follow.

PROGRAMS
   Programs are the core of our meetings. The strength of the Rotary spirit is shown by the fact that the Oswego Rotary Club has survived for 75 years, despite a few  boring programs and some poor meals! The surprising thing is that in the last 25 years, there have been close to 1,300 programs - most of them good, some of them exceptional. There was less than a dozen times when there was no program.

   Many of the programs were musical. The Boyd family, alone, presented more than 30 programs through the 1980s. Oswego Opera Theatre and the Summer Dinner Theater performed, as did many groups from the City School District. The Salvation Army Band and Chorus presented a program, and 17 young Russians danced.

   The politicians and would-be politicians were in abundance. One well-known political figure shared (in a joking way, of course) the Politician's Prayer - "Give us health and strength, and we will steal the rest!"  He went on to give a "solid presentation". Candidates at all levels did appear - city, county and state.

   Not all programs were serious. One program. presented by Frank Sayer, was the Three Bears - a reading with Italian translation.  "Only Frank could get away with this!"
   Another program was a play written by Charlie Goldstein about the Rotary Founders - based on the first two original meetings in Chicago in 1905.  The members of the club played the various roles.

   Early in the 1980s, one young man spoke about his experiences in "The Presidential Classroom". The Axle Editor had this to say: "There is no doubt but Kevin will go a long way and might wind up being a speaker himself in a future internship program."  Kevin, of course, is Past President Kevin Caraccioli.

   We have had a few notable speakers for programs. This list includes Dick McPherson from Syracuse University, local runner Ross Donahue, who was ranked sixth nationally and ran the four-minute mile and fighter Carmen Basilio, who showed fight films.

   On occasion, deception was used to get people to the meeting by announcing topics like "Safe Sex," a panel discussion by Sayer, Schneckenburger, Zoni and Kenefic.  There was a big turnout, which watched with interest and anticipation the setting up of the audio- visual equipment.  Much to their chagrin, the film was of the Rotary International  Convention in Portland, Oregon!
   At least six field trips were taken to off-site locations. These included Hammermill (more recently International Paper), Camp Hollis, the new East Side Fire Station, Sorbello's Farm and the Public Safety Building.

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE
   Another cornerstone of Rotary is International Service programs, promoting peace and understanding through various projects. The Rotary Club of Oswego has been active in many of them in the last 25 years.

   The Rotary Foundation recognizes donors of $1,000 by designating them Paul Harris Fellows. There are 52 of them on the rolls currently from the Oswego Club.  In addition, people can leave a $1,000 to Rotary in their wills and be named Benefactors. Currently, three members of the Oswego club have done that.  Those who contribute in $100 increments over 10 years are named Sustaining Members. There are now 11 of those in Oswego Rotary.  Inducements are offered from time to time by the club to encourage donations. Currently, a member can get a $50 matching grant.

   The Ambassadorial Scholars Program sends college students abroad for a year's study. Debra Fellows was the last successful candidate from Oswego and went to Edinburgh, Scotland. Her field was nursing.

   Group Study Exchange teams have come to Oswego from England (twice), Japan, Argentina, New Zealand and most recently the Philippines. During the '80s, Phil Gaines was a member of the team that went to Australia for six weeks.

   Oswego Rotarians were involved in the 3H (Health, Hunger, Humanity) programs formed in connection with Rotary International's 75th anniversary in 1980. The campaign to eradicate polio originally had a goal for Oswego of $12,500, but this was later raised to $15,600, due on or before December 1990. Although not all Oswego Rotarians contributed, nearly $20,000 was raised from the 77 members who did.

   To encourage college students who graduated from Oswego High to study abroad for a semester, the Oswego Rotary International Scholarship (ORIS) of $500 was created. The first year it was called the Carl Grulich Scholarship, after a late Oswego Rotarian, and was awarded to Heather Cole who studied in Dublin, Ireland. It was subsequently awarded to Carrie Pickering who studied in London.

   The Youth Exchange program has brought high school students here from Brazil (two), Australia (three), Denmark, Bolivia, Japan, Italy, Hungary, and Venezuela.  Outbound students have gone to England, Belgium, Italy, Iceland, Argentina, Hungary and The Netherlands.  For a number of years, an International Weekend has been hosted by Oswego in late November or early December, and all the visiting students from the district are invited.

   Oswego Rotarians also support the Gift of Life program where children with heart problems are brought to the United States for life-saving surgery. The club also participated in the Gift of Vision program, begun this year, which restores sight to blind children from third-world nations through medical procedures done in Syracuse.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
   One of the cornerstones of the Rotary movement is community service, and the Rotary Club of Oswego has had many, and diverse, projects in this area.

 In 1974, Fran Kenefic originated Meals-On-Wheels, and Rotarians have participated ever since. It is impossible to tell how many meals have been delivered over the years. During the '80s, periodicals were delivered with the meals, with the end result that magazines were recycled and people who did not get out much received some reading material.

   The YMCA received aid from the local Rotary Club through scholarships and camperships. At one time, Rotary provided maintenance for a room at the Y. On another occasion, Oswego Rotary  presented a check for $2,000.

   The Oswego Hospital has also benefited. Rotary has had a booth at the Hospital Bazaar for many years, and the raffles have raised much money.  In one 13-year period, the the average amount raised was $585.  Money has also been given for hospital equipment. At one time, the Oswego Rotary adopted Room 315.

   Food has been collected at meetings for the Salvation Army and Human Concerns. A group of 16 community organizations banded together to collect food and money at the Farmers' Market. Money has been given to purchase a van, and every year, Rotarians ring the bell at Salvation Army kettles during the holidays.

   Other organizations which have benefited have been the United Way, the Heritage Foundation, the Easter Seals Telethon, the Heart Association and the Cancer Society.  Camp Hollis and the Literacy Volunteers have also received help.

   Oswego Rotary has participated in Make-A-Difference day in different ways. There were clean-up campaigns along the lake and in the parks.  Playgrounds have been made fit to use safely, and clothing has been collected.  In fact, 22 boxes of clothing were collected one year.

   Beautification projects have also been undertaken. Rotarians were involved with Project Bloom by planting the flower boxes in the downtown area and contributing to the fund drive for hanging baskets. Clean-up projects have also been undertaken. One year, four members went in a boat to the breakwall in Lake Ontario to remove graffiti. In 2001, the club “adopted” the O&W Railroad Tunnel Bike/Walking Trail, which extends from East 1^st Street to East Seneca Street.

   Rotarians take pride in the grants or scholarships which are given each year. Currently, there are three $1,000 scholarships and an Occupational Award given each year. In addition, academic excellence is promoted by the Top 100 Dinner, a project originated locally by Ed Caraccioli .

   When the budget does not provide for unexpected needs, Rotarians donate money to help.  In this category is the collection for a heart monitor for the helicopter that transports emergency patients and in natural disasters.  Earthquakes in Japan, volcanic eruptions in Italy, hurricanes in Montserrat and floods in the Red River Valley are examples. Donations for individuals are also made.

   Not all projects undertaken are successful. The collection of bicycles was successful, but getting rid of them was not as they ended up in the dump.

FUND RAISING
   It would be impossible to do all the service projects undertaken by the Rotary Club of Oswego if the only income was from dues.  For years, pancake breakfasts and spaghetti dinners have been the main source of supplemental cash.  Generally, they have raised $1,400 to $2,600.  Obviously, other sources of income are necessary.

   During the late '70s and early '80s, one such project was the selling and planting of trees and shrubs. The chief forester was Frank Sayer, and in one year, 165 trees were sold.

   Running/walking has aided to the coffers of Oswego Rotary. One such event brought in $750 and another raised $400.  To raise money for the District Conference which the Oswego Rotary Club co-sponsored this Rotary year -- the year Bruce Frassinelli is serving as district governor -- ``2001: A Pace Odyssey" was held.

   Twice, Rotary has turned to circuses to raise money. The Holiday Hippodrome Circus held at Laker Hall at Oswego State University earned $1,600, and last year's circus at Breitbeck Park brought in $1,400.

   Harborfest has also been a source of income. Refreshments were sold with varying degrees of success. One year, $650 was earned; the next was a problem year.  It was no problem keeping the watermelon cold, the problem was keeping Rotarians warm. The third year, with a menu of hot dogs, potato chips, candy bars and Kool-Aid, the profit was a rousing $172.  Since then, Oswego Rotary has sold food/beverage tickets with the income ranging from $500 to $650.

   One year, at a regular meeting, a Middle-Eastern belly dancer gave a demonstration. According to the Axle, when she shook her bells, "the money rolled in."  Possibly, this was a 100 percent meeting.  Not since Gypsy Rose Lee visited a Rotary meeting at the old Pontiac Hotel has there been so much excitement.  There is no evidence that Gypsy Rose Lee danced!

   Other fund raisers have included dinner dances, art auction, garage sale, Phantom Get-A-Way Raffle to Toronto (which raised $960) and Erie Canal cruises.

   Not all fundraisers were held. Most notably was the proposal to hold a rock concert at Laker Hall in 1980. The idea did lead to the establishment of a bank account of $2,000 for the event and a date of Oct 3.  Apparently, difficulty with the Oswego State Student Association, and others, led to the cancellation of the concert.

WOMEN IN ROTARY
   The most significant event in the history of Rotary in the last 25 years has been the admission of women to membership.
   In 1978, The Duarte, California, Rotary Club invited three women to join.  Their charter was rescinded, and a court battle followed, based on a California Civil Rights Law that prevented discrimination of any form in business establishments or public accommodations.  The State Appeals Court and the California Supreme Court upheld the California courts indicating that Rotary clubs do have a "business purpose" and are in some ways public-type organizations.  The actions allowed women to join Rotary.  In 1989, The Council On Legislation voted to eliminate the "male only" restriction. 

   The Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Oswego voted to eliminate the male restriction, and on Dec. 8, the members voted 30 to 8 to approve the measure.  It was not until 1991 that the first women joined Oswego Rotary.  Ruth Mulford was followed by Nancy Bellow. Current member Selma Sheridan was the third.

   Ruth was elected to the Board of Directors in 1992,  and thus helped pave the way for our first woman president, Judy Percy, in 2001–2002. She was followed by Joette Deane in 2004–2005.