In the Beginning
In 1966, the Rotary Club of West Raleigh explored the feasibility of starting a new club in North Raleigh. Alex Wilson and several others started unofficial meetings and gatherings of civic-minded fellows. Ultimately, during a 7:00 a.m. board meeting at the Ranch House on May 29th, 1967, “Charter Night” for the Rotary Club of North Raleigh was set. By October 2nd, 1967, President Lyman Kiser would receive our Charter from Rotary International. The journey of the Rotary Club of North Raleigh would begin.
In 1967, there were 36 charter male members, annual dues were $35 per quarter and we had an annual operating budget of $378.78. We have come a long way since that first year!
The club meetings during our early years were held in numerous locations including the North Hills Steak House, Howard Johnson’s at Crabtree, the Flying Cloud Restaurant, and the Holiday Inn. None of these locations exist today.
Throughout the years our club has received a number of awards, honors and recognition.
Best Club Recognitions from District 7710
- 1977, under President Aaron Register
- 1978
- 1979
- 1980
- 1984
Sponsoring other Clubs in District 7710
- In 1978, Crabtree Rotary Club.
- In 1983, Capital City Rotary Club
North Raleigh Rotary Foundation Established
April 21, 1970, the Rotary Club of North Raleigh formed its own tax-free foundation to distribute funds from our dues to worthy charitable causes. At that time there were only a few foundations like this in the U.S. We relied on one of our members, Dick Liebert, and Raleigh Tax Attorney, Nat Townsend, to form the foundation.
In 1995, an endowment fund was established for our club in the name of Roy Palmer. The purpose of this endowment was to help fund projects typically funded through a portion of Rotary dues.
Ninety percent of the income from the invested principal each year goes towards funding ongoing projects.
Women in Rotary
In 1986, women became eligible to be Rotary members; in 2007, Joan (JJ) Jolliff served as the first woman president.
