The Rotary Club of Raleigh is a 100+ member club made up of people of Action, Influence and Purpose, meeting for lunch most Mondays in downtown Raleigh. The Rotary Club of Raleigh Foundation raises money to financially support both local and global organization and projects. Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to worthy causes. The club's history goes back to April 29, 1914, when Raleigh photographer Manly W. Tyree convened a group of ten Raleigh business and professional men to discuss organizing what was to become North Carolina's first civic club: The Rotary Club of Raleigh. Over lunch at the Yarbrough Hotel on May 4 of the same year, those ten men and five additional recruits elected Tyree president and closed charter membership. The Raleigh Rotary Club received its charter on August 1, 1914, joining an international organization of Rotarians committed to providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations, and helping to build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Raleigh's founders were among Raleigh's leading citizens of the day. Likewise, throughout its history, the club's roles have been graced by members of influence and accomplishment who served the City and State with distinction. Membership has included a State Treasurer, a Secretary of Administration, Chancellors of NC State University, Presidents of Shaw University and Peace College, judges, city and state government leaders, a U.S. Senator, and many leaders of business and nonprofit organizations. The Rotary Club of Raleigh has met in downtown Raleigh, focusing its formidable efforts on addressing community problems. Through volunteer service and financial contributions, the club has enhanced the community in myriad ways. In health and human welfare, the club has had a broad impact through support of the Wake Smiles Dental Clinic, Poe Health Center, Wake Teen Medical Services, Alliance Medical Ministry, SafeChild, Raleigh Rescue Mission, Wake Friends of the Homeless, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Salvation Army, Red Cross and other worthy organizations. In education, they have supported numerous organizations and initiatives, including Communities in Schools, the Four Way Test essay contest promoting writing and speaking abilities in middle school students, and collection and distribution of school supplies. As advocates for youth, they developed the Families in Crisis Program to support needy families and provide Christmas gifts to children and sponsors the Rotary against Drugs Speech Contest at Broughton High School. In community development, they are ongoing participants in Trees Across Raleigh, planting thousands of trees across the city. The club adopted a section of Crabtree Creek, committing to regular stream cleaning projects. In international relations, the club hosts visitors through international exchange, sponsors foreign exchange students, and hosted a visiting artist through an exchange program with the city of Manly, Australia. And in leadership development, they have sponsored several "Unsung Hero Awards" to recognize and thank local citizens for their contributions, and provided support for high school students' participation in the Rotary Youth Leadership Assembly in Greensboro. Today, this inspiring commitment to service lives on in the work of the varied and talented men and women comprising the club's current membership. The Rotary Club of Raleigh is committed to a second century of leadership from North Carolina's original and founding community service club.
