Mission Statement
“It is the mission of the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi to create a meaningful fellowship of business and professional leaders who are dedicated to making a positive difference in their local, regional, national and international communities through service.”
The History of the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi
The year 1914, when the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi was organized, found the city with about 9,000 people. Signs of progress were everywhere. It was in this atmosphere of progress that discussions were held about organizing a Rotary club in Corpus Christi. A committee had listed about 100 vocations being practiced in the city from which 40 men were selected as likely prospective Rotarians. An informal luncheon was held June 16, 1914 at the Nueces Hotel at which time Mr. C. H. Jenkins, Secretary of the San Antonio Rotary Club, explained the objects of Rotary. It was on that day that the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi was formed and officers were elected. It was the 125th Club chartered worldwide. There were thirty-six charter members. The first Board of Directors included:
J. M. Nix, President C. C. Womach, Director
L. R Loving, Vice-President H. W. Schaffer, Director
Wm. G. Blake, Secretary J. W. Pittman, Director
Gilbert McGloin, Treasurer F. C. Allen, Director
J. H. Bowman Jr., Sergeant At Arms W. Gibson, Director
The Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Presently
The Club currently meets at the Solomon Ortiz Center every Thursday at noon. Meetings are closed to the general public and are for Rotarians and their guests only. The membership of over 250 continues to represent the most outstanding leaders in the civic, religious, and vocational organizations of Corpus Christi. Every week it continues to be a key source of information on the city’s economy, development, and the concerns of the citizens. It has spread the precepts of Rotary through the area by sponsoring seven (7) clubs: Robstown, Taft, Corpus Christi Southside, Aransas Pass, Corpus Christi West, and Corpus Christi Sunrise.
Service Above Self
Club members have left a lasting legacy in our community in several ways. A testimony to their efforts can be seen all around us. They commissioned the “Queen of the Sea” sculpture by Pompeo Coppini in 1914. In 1990 the Club had Dr. Ron Sullivan refurbish it in celebration of its 75th anniversary. Furthermore, the Club erected the Town Clock in Heritage Park. We are also currently planning our centennial project to mark the 100th anniversary of our Club.
The Club has impacted the lives of students by providing scholarships to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College and leadership training for high school juniors and seniors through the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program. Additionally, the Club has partnered with local organizations to help children become adopted (Adoption Awareness Picnic), receive immunizations (Shots Across Texas), and help the homeless (Salvation Army Red Kettle Bell Ringing). The Club also promotes wildlife conservation and education through grants awarded from its Harvey Weil Sportsman Conservationist Award Fund. While still involved in more local projects, the Club has recently impacted people in Mexico, Fiji, and Honduras with health, housing, and literacy projects showing our concern for the world.
Rotary International
The Club is one of 34,000 clubs worldwide that make up Rotary International. Through Rotary International, Rotarians have been instrumental in nearly eradicating Polio throughout the world; conducting projects that address poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy and the environment; and promoting cultural understanding. Please visit www.rotary.org for more information on Rotary International.
