
In addition, this video served to highlight the organization as an impactful and integral part of our city. We wanted to create a piece that would raise awareness, educate and inform our audience about the history and achievements of the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge. To commemorate the event, the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge wanted a video that would capture the spirit and impact of several generations of Rotary Club members. This marked a century of community fellowship and service. In October 2018, the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge celebrated its 100th anniversary. With more than 30,000 Rotary Clubs across the globe, Baton Rouge boasts one of the largest chapters. Together, the Districts formed the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain and Ireland.Rotary of Baton Rouge 100 Years Rotary Club of Baton Rouge Nixon, the Clubs were grouped into Districts. Due to the leadership, inspiration, and vision of Mrs. The Manchester Club became the model upon which the movement is based. The idea of Inner Wheel spread quickly and many clubs were soon formed. Oliver Golding, became the first President of an Inner Wheel Club in Manchester, England. When the pressure of war times was over, they realized they did not want to disband-so the first idea of forming a club began. Women joined together, formed a bond, and found they enjoyed meeting other wives of Rotarians – women they probably would have never known. Inner Wheel is the story of a women’s movement which began in the simplest possible way, through the help given by wives to husbands in their efforts towards the public good.ĭuring the war years in England, the Rotary men were overburdened with service needs so they asked the wives to help. But most of all, we have formed lifelong friendships within our membership, with our friends who help, and with our customers who come year after year, and we have so much fun doing it! We have raised over $1.6 million dollars for Baton Rouge. We have so much to be proud of – we are recycling giants. Our Inner Wheel has been visited many times by International and National representatives, and we have presented a program at a National convention. Keigh Ballard was elected the first president, and a board was chosen. They did this and, with the blessing of National and International Inner Wheel, or local organization was formed and our fundraiser “Attic Trash and Treasure” was continued. If the wives wanted to continue the sale, why not form their own club?įred suggested that Ruthie and Bootsie meet with the President of Inner Wheel who lived in New Orleans. Fred advised them that while he was at a Rotary convention, he learned about inner Wheel. Later that year, in a meeting at the Rotary office with Fred Grace, President of Rotary, Jesse Harlan, Ruthie Kean and Bootsies Hundermer in attendance, Fred informed the ladies that Rotary was no longer interested in continuing the sale. After the sale, $6,000 was donated to abused children and the remainder went to the Rotary Foundation. Ruthie Kean and Bootsie Hundermer agreed to co-chair the event if they could donate the money to abused children.

In 1990, the wives really looked forward to the camaraderie of the sale, and hated to see it abandoned.

The entire proceeds of the sale were donated to the Rotary Foundation. Jesse Harlan (Executive Director of Rotary) chaired the second sale. It became evident that another sale was possible. Holmes and other businesses continued to donate merchandise throughout the year. In 1989, Rotary had no plans to continue the fundraiser. There was active participation by the Rotarians, but the sale was generally run by their spouses. The sale was held in the old Gus Mayer’s building and was chaired by Margaret Broussard and Jan Gilbert. In 1988, Rotary decided to have a garage sale to raise money for Polio Plus. History of the Inner Wheel Club of Baton Rouge
