Traditions
Order of Business
The order of business of the meetings has followed a set format for many years. The meeting is called to order by the president at 12:10 p.m. and is followed immediately by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag, which is succeeded by America by Samuel Francis Smith (My Country 'Tis of Thee) and then the invocation. The prayer is said by a different member each meeting. A luncheon recess follows this brief introduction. The sergeant-at-arms opens the third part of the meeting by introducing the visiting Rotarians and guests and entertains the club with humor and trivia. The president then takes over and after the handling of any club business presents the program committee chair for the month for the pertinent introduction of the speaker or program.
Social Events with Spouses and Guests
For many years, the Club has had two outstanding social events that include spouses and Members' guests. The Installation Dinner held in late June is when the incoming President and Board of Directors are officially installed. Usually held at a country club or private club, the event usually includes the District 6060 Governor or other visiting Rotarian dignitaries. The Progressive Dinner/Holiday Party has been a favorite of members for decades, with a cocktail hour at the home of a Rotarian followed by dinner at various homes, and then by dessert at another home for everyone to meet up again. The After COVID, the Progressive Dinner morphed into a Holiday Party with "heavy appetizers" and desserts. It is always held on the first Saturday in December, come rain, hail, sleet, snow, or shine.
Rotary - Lions Golf Tournament
Following a few years of informal competition, the Webster Rotary vs. the Webster Lions Golf Tournament was started in 1972. The "youngsters" of Webster Lions challenged the "old men" of Rotary. Webb Rogers of Webster Rotary donated the traveling trophy still doing the rounds. Regardless of who won, nobody really seems to care too much - well, except for a few very competitive souls. The fellowship between the two service organizations has served the community well.
Webster Groves High School Choir Holiday Concert
For many years, Webster Groves High School students have performed in front of the Club during the Holiday Season. Many spouses attend the meeting for such fine occasion and Rotarians and guests join the choir to sing seasonal music ranging from Handel's Hallelujah to popular Christmas compositions. At the end of the performance, the Club gives the choir director a donation from Members, helping the school's musical tradition lives on.
Friendly Fines
Fines and assessments are a part of every club and can be fun, but it is an old tradition that they never be excessive enough to embarrass any member. Fines are levied by the Sergeant-at-Arms for such things as not having the Rotary pin, not knowing the answer to some question or trivia about Rotary or other important subject, and so on. Rotarians are also fined if they are in the newspapers, are heard on radio or seen on television; the major the exposure the higher the fine the member is expected to pay - in the 2000s Mike Keenoy has been featured in a number of the St. Louis Rams television commercial and that has made him a major fine payee. All proceeds from these "penalties" are donated to The Rotary Foundation. The amount usually exceeds $1,000 each year.
Happy Bucks and 50-50
These are new traditions started in the middle to late 1990s. The Happy Bucks were introduced after the success experienced by neighboring clubs, the Clayton Rotary Club. For the cost of one dollar (one buck) Rotarians and/or guests can stand up and make an announcement to the Club. Most of these relate to additions to the family, graduations, promotions and other "good news." Most Rotarians announce their news succinctly, but some go for longer periods, and these contribute more than the one buck, based on the time they take to give their message. Such is the case of Werner Bauer, a Pearl Harbor survivor, who has enjoyed addressing the Club for various reasons. Collected funds are forwarded to The Rotary Foundation.
The 50-50 involves a drawing at the end of each meeting. Each attendee may "buy" numbered tickets for the chance to "win" 50 percent of what is "sold." The day's speaker randomly selects a ticket corresponding to someone. The Club retains the remaining 50 percent, which it sends to The Rotary Foundation. This is another fun and inexpensive way to raise money for The Foundation. During the 2000s, the amount generated by happy bucks and 50-50 have exceeded $1,000 every year.
The Club and the InterCity Meeting
Since 1958, Inter-City has promoted, on a monthly basis, Rotary fellowship among the clubs within a reasonable driving distance in the St. Louis region. All Rotarians have an organized opportunity to visit host clubs and to discover old/new friends and make-up locations-a special fun time even with a bit of nonsense. The Club has won the "Most Attending" and "Highest Percentage" traveling trophies many times. Recent Inter-City meetings hosted by the Club have had noted columnist Bill McClellan and Rotarian Richard Meyers of Webster University as the keynote speakers.
St. Louis Cardinals Update
Since the late 1980s or early 1990s to April 2007 a tradition at the Club included talking baseball with Marty Hendin, vice president of community relations for the St. Louis Cardinals. His was one of the most entertaining programs and one that was a favorite of so many Rotarians. Hendin knew baseball well, was an expert on the Cardinals, and always delivered an amusing program. Marty passed away in January of 2008. Although not a member of a Rotary club, Marty was a Rotarian in spirit and action. A representative of the Cardinals continues the tradition of an annual visit to our club.