Evolution of the
Rotary Club of Vail Placing Community + Service Above Self
By Kimberly Nicoletti
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HISTORY OF VAIL’S ROTARY CLUB On July 29, 1970, locals chartered the Rotary Club of Vail; Chicago attorney Paul P. Harris originally founded the international organization in 1905 as one of the world’s first service organizations. Rotary now stands at 1.4 million people strong, within 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Throughout the decades, Rotary Club of Vail has evolved; it’s about half the size of its original count but much more diverse, and its substantial impact has remained. Back when Vail was a
c o v e r e d b r i d g e va i l . c o m
PHOTOS COURTESY OF VAIL ROTARY CLUB
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For more than 53 years, the Rotary Club of Vail has promoted a sense of community among members and, more importantly, has served the community, making it a strong and vibrant place to live and work. And now, there’s a new way to participate in Rotary locally. Impact by Rotary Club of Vail launched in March 2023 and has drawn more than 20 members who wouldn’t have otherwise become involved in the traditional Rotary club due to expenses ($225 a quarter) and weekly meetings. Impact by Rotary Club Vail allows members to pay a reduced
fee of $40 a quarter and focus more on service projects. “It’s for people who just want to do service work and not sit in meetings,” says former president Penny Wilson, who launched the initiative — the first in Colorado — after hearing about a Rotary club in South Carolina that offered the alternative. As legit members of Rotary Club of Vail, Impact members can attend weekly meetings at 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays at Manor Vail Hotel whenever they desire, and if they want to stay for breakfast, they simply pay for the meal. “If you aren’t sure about Rotary, come along and check it out.” Impact members may also gather every so often to plan projects or simply to socialize. “It makes it easy to enter into Rotary without a huge financial or time commitment,” says longtime Vail Rotary member Bill Wilto. “It’s a good option for young people to help with different activities. Anyone who wants to help out is encouraged to join.”
