100 Years of Service Since 1926
On November 2, 1926 The Rotary Club of Minden submitted application to receive charter with 24 charter members, each representing a different classification. Classifications were based on job type and occupation. At that time Rotary did not allow women as members and clubs were limited to one member per classification.
The following persons were listed on the Rotary Club of Minden application as officers and directors: President: J.W. Kennedy, Vice President: E.H. Beyers, Secretary: M.A. Mortenson, Treasurer: D.R. Nicholl and the following directors: Fred Brown, H.S. Andrews, J.W. Kennedy, B.H. Byres, M.A. Mortensen, D.R. Driscoll.
Regular weekly meetings were held at the Hotel Edna every Friday at 6:30 pm. The original application for membership to Rotary was signed by the club president and secretary, and a report, which follows (in italics below), was also submitted to the Rotary Governor of District 19, Roy Ronald of Mitchell, South Dakota.
The Rotary Club of Minden’s application for charter was officially approved on December 2, 1926. The following individuals with their classifications were charter members of the club:
The Rotary Club of Minden celebrated 50 years at an event held at the Minden Country Club on November 30, 1976. At the time the club had 39 members. Honored guests were Mrs. BH Bracken, Mrs. CL Jones and Mrs. Harold Lundeen. The meal was served by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Lempka and the program included music from a high school group, a presentation from District Governor Elmer Hartmann and an address by past District Governor Ben F. Hormel. No doubt a good time was had by all!
Rotary Club of Minden Charter Application
The club was instituted on November 2, 1926 by W.T. Souders with 24 charter members. The history of the organization of this club is as follows:
- Survey having been previously made and appointment as special representative received on September 22, 1926,
- Selection of Ernest H. Byers as chairman of the organization committee on October 17, 1926.
- Completion of committee of five on October 19, 1926.
- Completion of charter membership list on October 22, 1926
- Approval of charter membership list and classification of same November1, 1926.
- Completion of organization, election of officers, installation of same, acceptance of the club by W.T. Souders, special representative, assisted by thirty members of the Kearney, Nebraska Rotary Club.
- Charter fee collected and application for membership secured and enclosed herewith. November 2, 1926.
- The club has adopted the standard constitution prescribed by Rotary International for local clubs, certified copy attached to its application.
