Local Club History
Georgetown Rotary District and RI Recognition
• EREY Club for the past 5 years: (Every member made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation)
• Top 5 Club Per Capita in our District
• Paul Harris Fellows in club - 76
• Paul Harris Fellows awarded - 213
• Benefactors – 11
• Bequest Society – 5
• Major Donors – 5
Georgetown Rotary Membership
Ended the year with 52 members in 1960.
• EREY Club for the past 5 years: (Every member made a contribution to the Rotary Foundation)
• Top 5 Club Per Capita in our District
• Paul Harris Fellows in club - 76
• Paul Harris Fellows awarded - 213
• Benefactors – 11
• Bequest Society – 5
• Major Donors – 5
Georgetown Rotary Membership
Ended the year with 52 members in 1960.
Ended the year with 120 members in 2025.
First woman to join Georgetown Rotary was in 1989
Rotary International allowed women to join beginning July 1, 1989.
Judy Duer (now in Temple Rotary Club) was our first female member. She was the Head Librarian for the Georgetown Public Library.
Judy Duer (now in Temple Rotary Club) was our first female member. She was the Head Librarian for the Georgetown Public Library.
Past President and their District Governor
1961-1962 Sam H. Brady DG I.A. Shepherd, Taylor
1962-1963 Sam H. Brady DG James Simpson, Hallettsville
1963-1964 Durwood Fleming DG Patrick Taggart, Waco
1964-1965 Buster Compton DG Calvin I. Matthews, Yoakum
1965-1966 Thatcher Atkin DG Maurice Acers, Austin
1966-1967 Floyd Engvall DG Arthur Kasper, Shiner
1967-1968 John Berglund DG Carl Welhausen, Yoakum
1968-1969 Bill Stump DG Thomas H. Little, Cleburne
1969-1970 Charles Forbes DG Dave Smith, Austin
1970-1971 Robert F. B. Morse DG Sam Gardner, Northwest Waco
1971-1972 Bill Ludwig DG R.J. “Jack” Forrest, Mexia
1972-1973 Wallace Giddings DG Thomas Bullion, Taylor
1973-1974 William “BillyBob” Eanes DG Richard S. "Dick" Merrill, South Austin
1974-1975 Mearl Leffler DG Wilson E. “Pat”Speir, Austin
1975-1976 Armistead “Armpy” Davis DG C.E. “Gene” Neal, Fairfield
1976-1977 Eb Girvin DG Colin “Ick” Hook, Killeen
1977-1978 Jim Cole DG Vann Taylor, Temple
1978-1979 Connie Venable DG W.H. “Bill” Bradfield, Shiner
1979-1980 Paul Williams DG D.L. Alford, Jr., Caldwell
1980-1981 Elvin Gentry DG James L. Lilly, Northwest Waco
1981-1982 Bill Connor DG Erroll Wendland, Temple
1982-1983 Tom Buckner DG Herman Focke, Mexia
1983-1984 Norm Peters DG William I. Jordan, Bosque Co. (Clifton)
1984-1985 Virgil Carlson DG Virgil Waggoner, South Austin
1985-1986 Billy Smith DG John K. Braselton, Northwest Austin
1986-1987 Tom Locke DG Bobby Parker, Belton
1987-1988 Larry Bingham DG Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr., Fairfield
1988-1989 Mo McKinney DG Robert Adams, Killeen
1989-1990 Richard “Andy” AndersonDG Jose Guerra, South Austin
1990-1991 Billy Ray Stubblefield DG James R. “Jim” Witte, Yoakum
1991-1992 Paul Dabney DG Harry B. Macey Jr., Temple
1992-1993 Wade Todd DG James Stoner, Austin
1993-1994 Don Hewlett DG P.Clift Price, Austin University
1994-1995 Mike McMaster DG John M. “Mike” Pinson, Killeen Heights
1995-1996 Bill Bryce DG Gonzalo Garza, Northwest Austin
1996-1997 Jim Albers DG John P. Salem Jr. , Marble Falls
1997-1998 Bill Bayer DG James V. “Jim” Robinson, North Austin
1998-1999 Judy Shanklin DG Billy D. Archibald, Mexia
1999-2000 Nelson Barrett DG William Bryce, Georgetown
2000-2001 Tom Owens DG Patsy Long Derr, Killeen Heights
2001-2002 Gene Davenport DG Rex Weaver, Killeen
2002-2003 Kay Trub DG Tom Chamberlain, Temple
2003-2004 Eileen Hegar DG Barbara Warden, Marble Falls
2004-2005 Ron Swain DG Gene Davenport, Georgetown
2005-2006 Tim Harris DG Ed Mullen, Killeen Heights
2006-2007 Ken Anderson DG James Osbon, Austin Oak Hill
2007-2008 O.L. Davis DG Barry Curlee, Austin
2008-2009 Tom Crawford DG Ronald Reynolds, Austin
2009-2010 Wilson Morris DG Tim Buckley, Austin Northwest
2010-2011 Robert Hardy DG Ruth Allison, South Austin
2011-2012 Laura Antoine DG Suresh Pahwa, Austin University
1961-1962 Sam H. Brady DG I.A. Shepherd, Taylor
1962-1963 Sam H. Brady DG James Simpson, Hallettsville
1963-1964 Durwood Fleming DG Patrick Taggart, Waco
1964-1965 Buster Compton DG Calvin I. Matthews, Yoakum
1965-1966 Thatcher Atkin DG Maurice Acers, Austin
1966-1967 Floyd Engvall DG Arthur Kasper, Shiner
1967-1968 John Berglund DG Carl Welhausen, Yoakum
1968-1969 Bill Stump DG Thomas H. Little, Cleburne
1969-1970 Charles Forbes DG Dave Smith, Austin
1970-1971 Robert F. B. Morse DG Sam Gardner, Northwest Waco
1971-1972 Bill Ludwig DG R.J. “Jack” Forrest, Mexia
1972-1973 Wallace Giddings DG Thomas Bullion, Taylor
1973-1974 William “BillyBob” Eanes DG Richard S. "Dick" Merrill, South Austin
1974-1975 Mearl Leffler DG Wilson E. “Pat”Speir, Austin
1975-1976 Armistead “Armpy” Davis DG C.E. “Gene” Neal, Fairfield
1976-1977 Eb Girvin DG Colin “Ick” Hook, Killeen
1977-1978 Jim Cole DG Vann Taylor, Temple
1978-1979 Connie Venable DG W.H. “Bill” Bradfield, Shiner
1979-1980 Paul Williams DG D.L. Alford, Jr., Caldwell
1980-1981 Elvin Gentry DG James L. Lilly, Northwest Waco
1981-1982 Bill Connor DG Erroll Wendland, Temple
1982-1983 Tom Buckner DG Herman Focke, Mexia
1983-1984 Norm Peters DG William I. Jordan, Bosque Co. (Clifton)
1984-1985 Virgil Carlson DG Virgil Waggoner, South Austin
1985-1986 Billy Smith DG John K. Braselton, Northwest Austin
1986-1987 Tom Locke DG Bobby Parker, Belton
1987-1988 Larry Bingham DG Joe Lee Kirgan, Jr., Fairfield
1988-1989 Mo McKinney DG Robert Adams, Killeen
1989-1990 Richard “Andy” AndersonDG Jose Guerra, South Austin
1990-1991 Billy Ray Stubblefield DG James R. “Jim” Witte, Yoakum
1991-1992 Paul Dabney DG Harry B. Macey Jr., Temple
1992-1993 Wade Todd DG James Stoner, Austin
1993-1994 Don Hewlett DG P.Clift Price, Austin University
1994-1995 Mike McMaster DG John M. “Mike” Pinson, Killeen Heights
1995-1996 Bill Bryce DG Gonzalo Garza, Northwest Austin
1996-1997 Jim Albers DG John P. Salem Jr. , Marble Falls
1997-1998 Bill Bayer DG James V. “Jim” Robinson, North Austin
1998-1999 Judy Shanklin DG Billy D. Archibald, Mexia
1999-2000 Nelson Barrett DG William Bryce, Georgetown
2000-2001 Tom Owens DG Patsy Long Derr, Killeen Heights
2001-2002 Gene Davenport DG Rex Weaver, Killeen
2002-2003 Kay Trub DG Tom Chamberlain, Temple
2003-2004 Eileen Hegar DG Barbara Warden, Marble Falls
2004-2005 Ron Swain DG Gene Davenport, Georgetown
2005-2006 Tim Harris DG Ed Mullen, Killeen Heights
2006-2007 Ken Anderson DG James Osbon, Austin Oak Hill
2007-2008 O.L. Davis DG Barry Curlee, Austin
2008-2009 Tom Crawford DG Ronald Reynolds, Austin
2009-2010 Wilson Morris DG Tim Buckley, Austin Northwest
2010-2011 Robert Hardy DG Ruth Allison, South Austin
2011-2012 Laura Antoine DG Suresh Pahwa, Austin University
2012-2013 Randy Mongold DG Rick Price, Mexia
2013-2014 Ron Garland DG Rich Kay, Killeen Heights
2014-2015 Brad Curlee DG Hanspeter Tobler, NW Austin
2015-2016 David Kellerman DG Melinda Osburn, Lakeway/Lake Travis
2016-2017 Ray Barron DG Bruce Golden, Austin
2017-2018 Cris Cash DG Gene Holiman, NW Austin
2018-2019 Karron Wilson DG Jerry Chapman, Cedar Park/Leander
2019-2020 George Lourigan DG Jim Henry, NW Austin
2020-2021 Georgianne Hewett DG Rick Stacy, Marble Falls
2021-2022 Nathan Winstead DG Beverly Luedke, Temple South
2022-2023 Cat Phelps DG Shannon Coleman, Pflugerville
2023-2024 Jeff Cartledge DG Bob Crouch, Killeen Heights
2024-2025 Gary Brown DG Doug Smith, Temple South
2025-2026 Christie Parker-Wheeler DG Todd Smith, Georgetown
Georgetown Rotary Club Honorary Members
1. Dr. Kitty Cardwell - graduated from Georgetown High School. B.S. degree at UT and doctorate in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M. Volunteered for the Peace Corps and spent several years in Colombia. Went to Nigeria to work for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. While there she was instrumental in obtaining a Rotary Foundation $500,000.00 grant to increase awareness of the dangers of aflatoxin in the food supply. This club was the driving force in obtaining this grant. After 12 years in West Africa, she returned to the U.S. and is currently employed by the U.S.D.A. She travels extensively in her work, and has made several trips to Haiti. Kitty is the daughter of Fran and Rotarian Virgil Carlson.
2. Frieda Davidson – wife of James Davidson. Frieda brought husband James to meetings for years and attended meetings.
1. Dr. Kitty Cardwell - graduated from Georgetown High School. B.S. degree at UT and doctorate in Plant Pathology from Texas A&M. Volunteered for the Peace Corps and spent several years in Colombia. Went to Nigeria to work for the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. While there she was instrumental in obtaining a Rotary Foundation $500,000.00 grant to increase awareness of the dangers of aflatoxin in the food supply. This club was the driving force in obtaining this grant. After 12 years in West Africa, she returned to the U.S. and is currently employed by the U.S.D.A. She travels extensively in her work, and has made several trips to Haiti. Kitty is the daughter of Fran and Rotarian Virgil Carlson.
2. Frieda Davidson – wife of James Davidson. Frieda brought husband James to meetings for years and attended meetings.
3. Gene Davenport – prior President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Past District Governor of District 5870, recipient of many honors by Rotary International. Gene moved to Denton to be close to family, but still visits the Georgetown club frequently.
4. Larry Bingham – past President of the club, dedicated Rotarian.
5. Carol Hardy – past Secretary of the club.
6. Michael Kriendler
Past Club Honorary Members
1. Delores Garza – past honorary member. Wife of Gonzalo Garza became honorary member when Frieda Davidson became honorary in 2003. Would attend with husband Gonzalo.
Longest serving Rotarian (Man/Woman)
• Gaylon Gregor has been a Rotarian 45 years
• Patricia Stevenson has been a Rotarian 36 years.
Longest serving member of Georgetown Rotary Club.
• Kenneth Poteete has served in our Club for 45 years
• Patricia Stevenson has in our Club for 36 years.
• Gaylon Gregor has been a Rotarian 45 years
• Patricia Stevenson has been a Rotarian 36 years.
Longest serving member of Georgetown Rotary Club.
• Kenneth Poteete has served in our Club for 45 years
• Patricia Stevenson has in our Club for 36 years.
Other Members serving as Rotarians for over 40 years
Ronald Barrick 42 years
Barry Bowden 43 years
Steve Dulle 43 years
Ladd Pattillo 41 years
Billy Ray Stubblefield 43 years.
Longest Perfect Attendance
• Gonzalo Garza – 28 years.
Service Club Coalition
During 2011-2012, our Rotary Club joined in the Georgetown Service Club Coalition. The newly formed organization made up of three Rotary Clubs, three Kiwanis Clubs, Sertoma, Optimist, and The Georgetown Project. The mission is to annually raise through a collaborative effort for youth initiatives.
This group joined forces with The Williamson Museum to enhance the Cimarron Trails Day event as a community fund-raiser. The result was that we netted $7200 for the Museum and $7,200 for The NEST (the selected youth project for 2011-2012). We will continue to participate in this venture each year with the netted funds going to selected youth projects.
During 2011-2012, our Rotary Club joined in the Georgetown Service Club Coalition. The newly formed organization made up of three Rotary Clubs, three Kiwanis Clubs, Sertoma, Optimist, and The Georgetown Project. The mission is to annually raise through a collaborative effort for youth initiatives.
This group joined forces with The Williamson Museum to enhance the Cimarron Trails Day event as a community fund-raiser. The result was that we netted $7200 for the Museum and $7,200 for The NEST (the selected youth project for 2011-2012). We will continue to participate in this venture each year with the netted funds going to selected youth projects.
Past Georgetown Local Projects
Books for Williams Elementary Library – Est. 480 books donated.
Centennial Project with Sun City and Sun Rise – nature trail $10,000 - 2004.
Rotaract Tribal Out Reach Medical - $1500
Georgetown Public Library Reading program - $5,000
RYLA – sponsoring youth to RYLA.
Rotary Scholars
High School Scholarships
Rotary Mentors
Helping homeless students at the NEST
Providing Shelter Boxes
Early Act First Knight
Scouting
Ramp Builds
Veteran recognition
Clean water projects
Arbor Day tree planting
Blood Drives
San Gabriel River clean up
Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed builds
Peace Poles to local schools
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
RYLA is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA participants can be ages 14-30, but most clubs and districts choose to focus on a narrower age range, such as 14-18 or 19-30. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to;
• Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
Our club has sponsored youth to RYLA camps since inception.
• Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
Our club has sponsored youth to RYLA camps since inception.
RYLA was discontinued at the request of District Governor Mike McMaster and the program was dormant for about ten years. RYLA began again in D5870 July of 2004. Gene Davenport was DG in 04-05, and was on planning team to initiate it during the first month of his governorship.
Rotary Club of Georgetown actively participates in RYLA, and each year sends youth to the camp and pays the fee. In addition, club members cook and serve dinner one night each year at the RYLA camp.
Rotaract
Rotaract Club was formed in 2002 at Southwestern University. Kay Trub was the President at the time. She and the other two club Rotary Presidents that year came out to give the Rotaract Club their first banner, bell and gavel.
That Club disbanded when the sponsor resigned to take another job. Our Rotary Club is currently making headway in starting a new Rotaract club at Southwestern, under the guidance of Dr. Ron Swain.
Interact
Interact was formed at Georgetown High School in 2000 under President Tom Owens. Interact at Eastview High School applied for a charter in 2011 under President Laura Antoine. Both of these programs were paused or disbanded in the last few years, mainly because of the Covid pandemic.
Recently, a new Interact program was started at Gateway College Preparatory School in 2024, and attendance is rapidly growing.
Peacebuilder Club
On Friday, August 19, 2022, the Rotary Club of Georgetown, TX, received the distinction of being named a Peacebuilder Club by the Rotarian Action Group for Peace, an international network that provides resources to further the peace and conflict resolution work of Rotarians around the globe.
The Club's Racial Unity and Peacebuilding Committee, which first convened in June of 2020 following an escalation of racial tension in the U.S., has been meeting weekly for more than four years promoting the belief of Rotary that "when people work to create peace in their communities, that change can have a global effect.
By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources." The group has shared its work within Rotary District 5870 and at Zone and International conferences.
The committee has supported the Rotary Club of Georgetown's 5870 DAP grant project by installing peace poles at local schools. Alison Sutherland, a leader of the Rotarian Action Group for Peace, attended a meeting virtually from Cardiff Bay, Wales, to welcome the Rotary Club of Georgetown, TX, as an official Peacebuilder Club - one of just 400 clubs in 200 countries. She said, "This group ... is becoming well known globally and very highly respected and will be the place to go as we seek to roll out diversity, inclusion and equity and other aspects.
Ron Swain, the convener of the Racial Unity and Peacebuilding Committee accepted recognition on behalf of the Club and said, "I congratulate you on that and the work you are doing. We hope that other Clubs will join us because we believe that Rotary can bring peace throughout our communities, our nation and the world. Rotary creates environments of peace."
Rotary Scholars Program
For over 30 years the Georgetown Noon Rotary Club has honored Georgetown High School students in recognition of high academic achievement. Students represent the top 5% by grade point average of the 2011 Graduating Seniors. Many of these students demonstrate involvement in a multitude of extra-curricular activities, are members of civic and service organizations, actively involved in church groups and hold part-time jobs.
Norm Peters and Bill Connor started the program in 1981. Today Rotary provides a college dictionary as a gift recognizing their achievement and there is a student initiated Teacher recognition in which our club gives a stipend of $100 to each teacher.
High School Scholarships
It is estimated that the Rotary Club has given $250,000 since 1962.
(Each year we give an average of $10,000 in scholarships; $1,500 to the first college student in their family; and $1,000 to a teacher. This totals $12,500 every year.)(10 years at $1,000 - $5,000 annually and 20 Years at $10,000+ annually)
Georgetown Rotary Trumpet Weekly Newsletter
Started in 2002 by Howard Burt, followed by Barbara Garland, and currently published by the esteemed Michael J. Cox, husband of Jeanne Cox "Field of Honor" Leader