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Rotary Club of Vista
History
To read the full club history, click here to download a large PDF file.
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Home
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* Members * About
* News History To read the full club history, click here to download a large PDF file. |
Vista Rotary began with 21 members in 1936
This is excerpted from a 25-page history that was compiled for the club's 70th anniversary in 2006. To read the full club history, click here to download a large PDF file.
In 1936, Virgil W. Deaver ("Curley"), a member of the Rotary Club of Escondido, was appointed Special Representative by Rotary District Governor Marshall DeMotte. Curley began to work with former Rotarian Dr. John C. Stadden (JC) to organize a Rotary Club in Vista. After several introductory meetings, the charter list of twenty one charter members was closed on November 18, 1936. Our charter was signed by Rotary International December 21, 1936. The two I Vista Rotary members who signed the charter were Charter President John C. Stadden, M.D., and Charter Secretary George F. Sexsmith.
Since its founding in 1905, Rotary International has grown to 31,000 clubs in 166 countries and over 1.2 million members members. In Vista, where Rotary has been serving the community for seventy years a warmth of genuine fellowship has characterized the Vista Club. Parties for work and pleasure, fishing trips, barbecues, ladies night dinners, "holiday giving" trips to Mexico, District Conferences and International Conventions have brought the members together in a multitude of enjoyable events. The purpose of Rotary to foster acquaintance has been realized through the years in the regular weekly meetings and special events.
The major contribution of Rotary in Vista has been the application of the principle of "Service Above Self" in the individual lives of the members in their club, community, business and international relationships. Intangible as this contribution is, it cannot be described in a history of the club. The more tangible accomplishments, if described in full, would fill a book! The information that follows will touch on a few of the highlights of these accomplishments decade by decade.
Our first service project in the Vista community was to provide milk for under-privileged Vista school children. During our first decade we assisted in the organization of the first Vista Cub Scout Pack and a baseball team competing in San Diego County- We initiated a student loan fund, supplied Vista High School with Revista Rotaria, helped finance a trip for the high school orchestra to Fresno, and granted honorary student membership in Vista Rotary to Vista High School's student body president. Our projects also included support for Camp Vista, the local Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Chilean relief fund following a devastating earthquake. In 1939 we sponsored the chartering of the Rotary Club of Carlsbad.
The Annual Demotion/installation dinner was held at the Carlsbad Hotel at a cost of $1.00 per person! A set of vocational booklets was furnished to Vista High School library, and eye glasses were provided for needy children. We supported the Motor Dental Clinic for school children, sponsored the high school Victory Garden Project, sent copies of the Vista High School Yearbook to Vista servicemen, and sponsored the community swimming pool. Rehabilitation equipment was donated to Camp Pendleton Hospital; gifts were taken to the men in the hospital and each week four ambulatory patients were guests of the Club. Vista Rotary initiated a movement in support of the formation of Palomar College, started a "Bundles for Britain" campaign, and donated an audiometer for the use of the county schools.
To read the full club history, click here to download a large PDF file.
