THE HISTORY OF OAKLAND ROTARY CLUB #5201

For a number of years, a group of influential and civic-minded men had been eating lunch together in the coffee shop of the original Schenley Apartments. These men recognized the need and opportunity of establishing a Rotary Club in the Oakland area. Even before the official charter, they published their first club newsletter, "Rotograph" on January 24, 1944.

Oakland Rotary was the first neighborhood club chartered in Pittsburgh. This charter, granted by the Pittsburgh Club, was on February 17, 1944. The first President was Clarence (Buddy) Overend. President Overend's custom was to open each meeting with the announcement, "Well, it's time to put the show on the road," and it has been doing that for the past half century!

The club's second President was funeral director, Howard S. Samson. The following year, Dr. P.V. McParland had secured the gavel. Not being able to divorce himself from the academic life in which he participated, he used the phrase: "class dismissed" to indicate the conclusion of his meetings.

In 1947-48, President George Yohe made c valiant effort to introduce some singing by club members, which had been a part of Rotary since its inception by Paul Harris. George concluded that "these guys ain't no singers," of which even today, this club doesn't sing.

In 1968-69, Oakland Rotary celebrated its Silver Anniversary with Joseph Grumer as President. This celebration was held in the banquet room of the Webster hall Hotel. This formal and elegant affair was attended by most of the club's eighty members.

One of the outstanding benefits of membership in Rotary is the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from innumerable associations here and abroad. Another plus is the endless participation carried forth within many charitable and educational support programs here. In the 1970*s, under President Robert Hingson, Oakland Rotary became the driving force in the Brother's Brother Foundation by funding and supporting the many life saving programs of early immunizations teams in Central America. This project was expanded later into Africa under the hands-on directions of Dr. Hingson*s son, Luke. Tons of medical equipment, medical journals, and educational materials were gathered here and shipped overseas to desperately understaffed rural medical clinics, schools, and teaching centers.

At the same time, yearly contributions to Oakland community based charitable organizations were served. These included the abused, drug addicted, homeless, the hungry, the elderly, the under educated, the unemployed, as well as those awaiting organ transplants. The overachievers were also awarded with awards from the "Student of the Month" to graduates obtaining a Paul Harris Fellowship Foundation Grant.

In 1981-82, President Sid Spatz decided to expand the club's fund raising activities. From this, "Pancake Day" was born in the Bellefield Presbyterian Church on Fifth Avenue. This apprehensive endeavor endured some success until its demise in 1985. Another short-lived fund raising event was "A Night at the Races" where the real horses were on film and the payoffs were donated prizes by some generous club members.

President Herb Ferguson (1985-86) became the Father Goose for numerous Rotary International foreign students. He and his wife, Ann, have always been there to host many of the arriving high school students. Surely, "HE PROFITS MOST, WHO SERVES BEST" is the Rotary motto exemplifying Herb.

All will remember Rotarian Francis "Frank" Rowe, who came to Pittsburgh in the mid 1980's as a candidate for a heart-lung transplant. While waiting three years for a suitable donor, Frank became an active member in the Oakland club, becoming a president-elect as well as leading support groups in the transplant program. Frank had his surgery, but unfortunately, didn't survive the recovery period. He is still remembered with much affection and admiration by all.

In 1987, with the induction of Mary Lou McLaughlin as Oakland's first female Rotarian, and as a tribute to Prank Rowe, Oakland Rotary donated a room at the Family House on North Neville Street. Mary Lou, who was then the Executive Director of the Family House, chaired the many covered dish dinners that club members provided on a rotating basis for the many families being housed there as temporary residents. This fellowship continued until 1991, and is awaiting another revival.

Since women are now a vital part of all Rotary International, Oakland can boast of its many female members. Carole Finelli Ladik became the first female president of Oakland Rotary in its history during the Rotary year of 1994-95!

Another impressive first for Oakland, is the man who epitomizes the Rotary ethic of "SERVICE ABOVE SELF": Balwant (Bunt) Singh, PhD and PHF, became District 7300 Governor for Rotary year 1995-96. Finally, the Oakland Rotary Club, under the determination of Bunt, has sponsored the first Rotaract Club in Western Pennsylvania at the University of Pittsburgh.

The more recent years have seen a drop in membership but not the sponsorship of two outstanding yearly efforts. Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy of Oakland has continued to provide a special cornucopia of culinary delights to those of need. This community project, once chaired by Bill Nasri, was later taken over by Ted Butler.

Another of Ted's projects, which he nurtured from 1987 is the "Student Of The Month - Service Above Self" essay contest. Ted visioned the need for students in the local schools to understand the mission of Rotary to the community and the communication of goodwill and peace everywhere via its local students. This truly admirable yearly program includes youngsters from Central Catholic High School, Oakland High School, Schenley High School, and Winchester Thurston. The head-to-head competition among participants, makes this a most rewarding and prestigious competition.

Oakland Rotary club is launched along excellent paths towards another century. This premier organization, being comprised of quality membership and outstanding "Service Above Self" to the near and far, has come a long way from the visions of its forefathers that cold February, 1944.