The first time the word "AREA" was used in a Rotary Club name was May 7, 1984. Up to that time Area Clubs did not exist. An "Area Club" was the idea of William M. Marshall of Leominster, MA. Bill believed the geographical boundaries should be enlarged to allow more leeway in the area a club could recruit from. After years of discussion with Rotary International of Evanston, IL. Bill was granted
permission to organize an Area Club. He was a member of Leominster Rotary Club and along with help from Fitchburg; Fitchburg East; Lunenburg and Westminster Rotary Clubs, began to hold meetings at Howard Johnson's Restaurant at routes 2 & 12 Leominster, MA (now Friendly's Restaurant)
Starting in October of 1983, the Charter Members began to grow. By January 1984 we had moved to larger quarters at the Holiday Inn, Leominster, MA. Charter membership was closed on March 22, 1984 and the first Area Club received Provisional status April 10, 1984. Our Charter was granted May 7, 1984. Charter night was held on June 29, 1984 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Leominster, MA and we were welcomed into Rotary International by District Governor Henry Brown as the World's First Area Club.
