The Rotary Club of Amarillo History - 1980 to 1989 

The Classification Committee purified and expanded our Classifications Survey and its integrity.  The Health, Hunger, and Humanity program of R.I. began to inspire more gifts to the Rotary Foundation.

An intimation of the fun and fellowship to be enjoyed during the 1981-82 presidency of Allen Early came when the District Governor was greeted by a belly dancer. He always remembered Amarillo Rotary.   Allen's jokes were sometimes good and sometimes bad, but the members of Amarillo Rotary came to expect them.  Allen's father had been a Charter Member of our Club, and had served as President in 1929-30.

In Community Service the proceeds from our barbecue sandwich booth at FunFest ($4,454.22) were divided equally among: Wesley Community Center, Jan Werner Daycare Center, Opportunity School, YMCO Child Enrichment Center and Meals on Wheels.  In International Service we sponsored a student from Denmark for the school year and sent Andy Andreau to a special meeting in Mexico City called by the President of R.I., and helped host a group of Rotarians from London on their way to the R.I. convention in Dallas.  We offered to host the next annual dinner for Paul Harris Fellows in the District  The Board began a stricter enforcement of attendance requirements, but membership remained stable at about 235.

This was the last year of service for our very capable and much-loved Executive Secretary, Juanda Godfrey, and the first year for the son of another Charter Member, Mid Askew, to serve as Club Secretary.

"Mankind is one--Build Bridges of Friendship" was the theme of Rotary International President Dr. Hiroji Mukasa, a member of the Rotary Club of Nakatsu, Oita, Japan.  John R. Collard, Jr. of Spearman, Texas served as Governor  of District 573.  When Bob Russell was elected president of Rotary year 1982-1983, several Rotarians asked where he would attend the Rotary International Convention.  Bob had visions of Rome or London or Tokyo, but attended in the city of his birth, Dallas, Texas  A new bulletin format was adopted in this Rotary year.  Hank Brown was Editor. 

President Russell said that if we only maintained a status quo, we would have a good year.  The Rotary Club of Amarillo has always been a leader in this community, and is a club the Rotary District looks to for leadership.  The Amarillo Club had 235 members which included 6 Past District Governors.

President Russell set four goals for improvement during his term of office.  These included improving attendance to a 90% average, filling more of the vacant classifications, to have an item of Rotary information presented each week to make members more knowledgeable about Rotary and to promote participation in the Rotary Foundation by the addition of at least five Paul Harris Fellows. 

The Rotary Year of 1983-84 saw President Jim Carroll exemplify the challenge of R.I. President W. E. Skelton to "Share Rotary--Serve People" as he served as the 67th President of the Rotary Club of Amarillo.  President Jim's quick wit and jovial manner always added to the weekly meetings.  With particular attention to the benefit of Club activities, each member was encouraged to participate in all Club functions. 

Ladies' Night was a particular success, and was enjoyed by the 196 members and guests that attended at the ACC.   President Jim will be remembered as one of the driving forces behind the Annual Rotary Art Show's initial "outing," which was held shortly after he went out of office.   President Jim Carroll, together with his Rotary Ann, Mildred, truly exhibited "Service above Self."

The 1984-85 year saw The Rotary Club of Amarillo being led by Walter Johnson, the club's 68th President.  Club interest in youth activities was expressed through:  Student Exchange (almost half the District total was from Amarillo;)  RYLA; High School visitors (over 80 outstanding students were guests from Amarillo and Palo Duro;) R.I.'s 2005 PolioPlus program received donated funds sufficient to vaccinate over 6,000 children.   The first annual "Rotary Art Show" was held and valuable experience was realized! Marla's office efficiency was further enhanced by a computer and printer.   To further aid the club, meals were put on a quarterly payment (in advance) schedule. Paul Harris Fellowships were presented to several members;  Club interest in The Rotary Foundation was at a high level.  The Annual Ladies' Night saw over 200 in attendance at the ACC; over 60 attended the New Member Party in Walter and Bette's back yard.  1984-85 was a good year that saw wide membership participation in all club activities including the District #573 Conference in Big Spring.   "The" Club won a trophy for having the best % increase in attendance for the year.   Club interest MADE the year successful. 

A number of major changes marked the 1985-86 Rotary Year with Jess Ghormley at the helm.  A move in our meeting place was approved by a 79% favorable membership vote, which resulted in the Country Squire Dinner Theatre becoming the location of the new meeting place, the fourth in the club's history.

Early in the Rotary Year, DG Jack Biscoe of Midland made his official visit.  The year was filled with the club's participation in District 573 affairs.  These included an expanded Student Exchange program with Richard Damron as chairman.  Programs of high quality were coordinated by Program Chairman George Lokey, and Allen Early as Membership Chairman expanded our membership.

The annual Intercity Meeting in Lubbock was another highlight of club participation, with R.I. President Ed Cadman as honored guest and the main speaker.  Later in the year, at the District Convention in Lubbock, President Cadman was also the principle speaker.  It was during R.I. President Cadman's term that Rotary inducted its one-millionth member. 

In our club's participation in District 573 affairs the number of Paul Harris Fellowships increased to a total of 67 and our club's contributions became highest in the District with a gross of over $92,000. 

Several long-term club projects were completed during this year.  Two of these were the revision and updating of the club roster and a completely redesigned club banner. 

One of the most time-consuming, demanding and rewarding projects of the year was ART LXXXV, with Bea Pickens again serving as General Chairman and Jerry Huff as Rotary Chairman.  The show attracted 56 artists from all parts of the nation as exhibitors and brought a new profit of $37,889 to the club.  This enabled the club to establish an endowment trust fund with the Amarillo Area Foundation with an initial contribution of $20,000.

Other contributions to the area's activities included the annual Christmas gift to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, and 278 pounds of food to the High Plains Food Bank, as well as participation in the Salvation Army Christmas bell-ringing program. 

In club social events, the Annual Ladies' Night was held at the Amarillo Country Club with the Otwell Twins & Combo as featured entertainers, and the year's last social event was a reception for new members and their wives at the home of Jess and Bernadine Ghormley.  It was a busy year. 

Hugh Barclay was President for the 1986-87 Rotary year.  The Rotary Club of Amarillo members continued their tradition of "Service Above Self" in many ways.  The RYLA support was expanded to include scholarships to Girls' RYLA and the Club provided a scholarship to the District Diabetic Camp.  The Student Exchange Program continued to grow as well as the Art Show and Sale.  When members of the club Chief of Police Jerry Neal and DPS Capt. Bob Russell asked fellow club members for help to speed up the start of a Hearing Impaired Driver Identification program, the membership responded by contributing sufficient funds to print the car stickers.  The project, the first in the nation, got off to an early start.  PolioPlus interest and support continued to grow as that Rotary International program gained momentum.

All of the above involved club members' financial support and their time.  In addition many members served the community in volunteer capacities.  "Rotarians Make Things Happen" is an appropriate slogan for the members of The Rotary Club of Amarillo. 

The Rotary year of 1987-88 saw Jerry Huff take the reins. He established goals for the year and things began to happen.   The ART LXXXVII show and sale was very successful bringing an outstanding art exhibition to the area.  Halfway through the year Jerry was transferred to Atlanta Georgia and Hugh Barclay took over the reins for the last half of the year.

Work continued on the goals established by Jerry and the club earned a "Presidential Citation" by achieving five goals in Rotary activities.  The members of The Rotary Club of Amarillo continued their practice of "Service Above Self" both in Rotary and the community. 

The 1988-89 year was a year in transition with Eddie Scott serving as president.  The meeting place was moved from the Country Squire to the Amarillo Country Club and everyone seemed to enjoy the variety of food provided by the club.  The Rotary office was moved from Sunset Market Town to 6037 West 34th with Tom Dawkins generously providing the facility.

District Governor J. D. Cage (Muleshoe) and wife Julie, rebuilt their house when it was torn down by a tornado as they were visited by Rotarians Eddie Scott and Charles Ashcraft. 

The club generously contributed $10,435.00 to PolioPlus during the year. 

The club added five new Paul Harris Fellows bringing the club total to 86. As the economy of Amarillo continued to deteriorate, the membership in the club declined from 224 members to 210. 

Doyle Moore assumed the presidency in July for the 1989-90 year and attempted to emulate R.I. President Hugh Archer's theme "Enjoy Rotary."  Recognition of club member achievements and service to the community through verbal "'ata boys/girls" was given each week from the podium and then repeated in the weekly Wheels publication. 
 

Significant birthdays were recognized in the fall when Dr. B. C. Graves and Burton Elliott each celebrated their 90th and our club celebrated its 72nd.  Governor Bob "Tumbleweed Smith" Lewis from Big Spring honored us with the annual Governor's visit. 

Thanks to the hard work of many club members and our Honorary Chairman, Mrs. Betty Bivins, ART LXXXIX was one of the most successful ever held.   From sales of $62,000 a net profit of $13,170 was realized, with over $6,000 being given to the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum as our contribution for their efforts. 

While membership numbers did not grow, fellowship and goodwill was much in evidence as together all club membes did "Enjoy Rotary."