Rotary Club of Moscow History

District 5080, Club #249| Chartered 1920

In 1918 Francis Jenkins, Homer David and Max Griffith attended a Masonic convention in Pocatello where they were houseguests of Joe Young, a friend in Masonry and Governor of Rotary's twentieth district. Young urged these men to organize a Rotary club in Moscow. As a result of this meeting and subsequent correspondence, the above named men plus John Heckathorn and Glen Sanders met at the Elk's Temple and discussed the matter thoroughly. Accordingly a luncheon meeting was held on Main Street next to City Hall. Present were: Rolston Butterfield, Homer David, C.B. Green, Max Jenkins, George Lamphere, William Lee, G.P Mix, L.F. Parsons, Glen Sanders, Harry Simpson, Frank Stewart and Herman Wilson.

This was the first official meeting of Moscow Rotary. By the meeting of December 22, 1919, for which we have the first complete minutes, most of the details of the organization were complete and the following officers elected: Jenkins, President; Parson, Secretary; Heckathorn, Treasurer; James J. Keane, Sergeant at Arms.

International Charter No. 607 was presented to a delegation of Moscow club officers at a meeting in Spokane, February 1920 by Albert Adams of Atlanta, Georgia, then international president. Time of the meeting was fixed at 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Mondays. The meeting place was changed to the Elks' temple in July 1920. Support of the Chamber of Commerce was one of the first considerations of our club, the minutes of the May 23, 1923 stated "It is the duty of all Rotarians, present and future, to be member of the chamber of commerce."

The Moscow Rotary Club has been a supporter of the University of Idaho beginning with directing and supporting bond issues for group homes, dormitories and Memorial Gymnasium on the University campus.

A major project of the Rotary club has been the support of the Rotary Foundation, which was established in 1947 with a goal of further understanding and friendly relations among people of different nations. This foundation has made it possible for thousands of scholars to further their education abroad. A donation of $1000 is required for a person to become a Paul Harris Fellow to support the program. A total of 31 Paul Harris Fellows have been named in the Moscow club. This includes several persons, not members of the club, but identified as outstanding citizens of Moscow.

In recent years a park was developed in northeastern Moscow and named Jim Lyle Rotary Park. Among the contributions to this park have been playground equipment, landscaping and paths. In 2018, two benches were installed recognizing the late Jim Lyle and two long time and honored citizens - Rotarians Dean Vettrus and Maynard Fosberg. 

Concrete slabs have been installed at the City Park and Moscow Junior High School. These have been very popular since they can be used for basketball, tennis and other games. In 1996 the club and individual members financed and built the Palouse Ice Rink which they managed for the next 10 years.  Plantings were also made in Lieuallen Park in north central Moscow, Anderson Frontier Park. A volleyball court was constructed in East City Park.

Another project of the Moscow club was the purchase and planting of young trees and shrubs for the new arboretum on the campus of the University of Idaho. The club also participated in construction of ponds at the site, fencing for the arboretum boundary and building golf course water hazards.

More recently, contributions have been made to local food banks; a window was “purchased” as a part of the restoration of the 1912 Center; materials and contributions donated to the back-to-school program “Stuff The Bus”; and annual participation with the “Officer Newbill Kids Safety Fair” and “Christmas for Kids”.

Today, making and selling Kettle Corn at the Moscow Farmers Market on Saturdays from May Through October has provided funding to continue our generous support of community projects and organizations.

Organizations that have benefitted from our donations since 2017 include but aren't limited to:

    • Palouse Ice Rink
    • Distinguished Young Women of Idaho
    • Palouse Habitat for Humanity
    • Latah County Youth Advocacy Council
    • ShelterBox USA
    • Juliaetta-Kendrick Food Bank
    • Palouse Harmony Chorus
    • Sojourners Alliance
    • Latah Recovery Center
    • Weekend Backpack for Kids food program
    • Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre stage lift project
    • Officer Newbill Kids Safety Fair
    • MHS Environmental & HRAI clubs
    • U of I Scholarship program

The Moscow club has hosted visiting Rotary scholars at the University of Idaho. Also, in the interest of promoting education, the club has recognized and given awards to outstanding students from Moscow High School as well as assisted in a program to send young people abroad. Many high school students from abroad have been sponsored and attended Moscow High School while living with Rotary families.

Moscow Rotary also supports the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) which seeks to identify and foster the development of leadership ability of young people in the age bracket 18-25 through awards which makes possible the attendance at an annual week-long seminar on leadership skills development.

The impact of the Rotary Club and its members has been impressive. Members have contributed their time and energy into making Moscow a better place to live. The Moscow Rotary Club has donated over $300,000 to fund community related projects and activities.

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