Rotary Club of Hattiesburg Records

The collection is divided into eleven major series which address various aspects of the Rotary Club and its activities. Items within the series are arranged chronologically, and the original file order dictated by club historian, Jack Gandy, Jr., has been preserved as much as possible.

Series I: Rotary Club of Hattiesburg - Club Newsletter (Boxes 1-5)

This series contains "Spokes," the weekly newsletter printed by the Hattiesburg club. Dating between 1933 and 1993, "Spokes" includes a summary of the activities, events, and people involved with the organization. These include a list of the visitors to club meetings, attendance figures, the program of the week, and various other items of information compiled by the club secretary. Attached to most issues of "Spokes" are photocopies of newspaper clippings from the Hattiesburg American, which often provides coverage of the weekly Rotary luncheon. While the collection contains all the "Spokes" from 1933 through the 1970s, the 1980s issues are missing. Issues for 1990-1993 are included.

Series II: Manuals of Procedure (Boxes 5-6)

The Manual of Procedure is published every two years and sets forth the guidelines and organization of Rotary Clubs throughout the world. The manuals outline the classification system, used to promote diversity in the occupations of individuals accepted for membership, the procedures that the local clubs should follow, the club constitution and by-laws, financial matters, and various programs sponsored by the club. They also discuss the community projects supported by Rotary. This series contains manuals dated between 1952 and 1964.

Series III: Rotary Convention Proceedings (Boxes 7-12)

The Convention Proceedings consist of thirty hard-bound volumes dating between 1921 and 1967 detailing the activities that took place at the annual Rotary International Convention. Held in various cities throughout the world, the proceedings contain the texts of speeches made by Rotarians present at the conferences. In addition, the minutes and decisions of the numerous assemblies are reviewed, as are matters relating to the budget, voting, Rotary statistics, convention highlights, and messages delivered to the convention. Annual reports given by the secretary, treasurer, and trustees of Rotary International, are also an important part of this series.

Series IV: Official Directories of Rotary International (Boxes 12-14)

The official directory is a comprehensive address book of Rotary clubs located throughout the world. Each directory lists the officers and staff of Rotary International, the past presidents, vice-presidents, directors, and secretary. However, the greater portion of each booklet provides a delineation of the cities in each Rotary District, a list of the sites where weekly meetings are held, and mailing addresses of local clubs. This series contains directories for 1953-1966

Series V: Rotary Club of Hattiesburg Files (Boxes 14-18)

The club files begin in 1934 and continue through 1968. The most significant items in this series are the club's weekly minutes, and minutes of Board of Director's meetings. These documents provide excellent insight into the club's activities. The series also contains a large number of member sheets, listing the members and their classification for specific years (lists for 1956-1962 and 1989-1992, can be found in series VII). A plethora of letters relating to such topics as resignations, terminations, granting of leaves of absence, and scheduling speakers are scattered throughout the series. In addition, speeches delivered by Rotary members and guest lecturers, as well as some budget materials are located in this part of the collection.

Series VI: Rotary Books (Boxes 18-19)

This series contains five books relating to Rotary. The first, entitled entitled The Rotarian Age (1935), was written by Paul Harris and chronicles the first thirty years of Rotary. The second, Rotary-Fifty Years of Service 1905-1955 (1955), is a black and white commemorative history of Rotary International. The third, The Founder of Rotary (1928), is a biography of Paul Harris, the attorney who established Rotary in 1905. The fourth book is Service is My Business (1956), which details Rotary's mission concerning vocational service. The last book is The Outline of Classifications (1962), a handbook which sets forth the numerous categories under which the members of Rotary may enter a club.

Series VII: Membership and Attendance Related Matters (Boxes 19-21)

Series VII provides extensive information about club members and their attendance recording the meetings missed and attended, classification changes made by members, a list of former members, letters of resignation, letters of termination, requests for leaves of absence, a dues book documenting the status of accounts, and correspondence between members. Perhaps the most useful part of this series is a comprehensive membership record book of the Hattiesburg club. This book covers the club from the time of charter till 1983. Included is an alphabetical listing of the members, their classification, a chronological list of presidents and secretaries, the winners of the "Hannah Plaque", honorary members, a short history of the club copied from an article in the Hattiesburg American, and a list of the District Governors who came from the Hattiesburg club.

Series VIII: Fiscal Matters of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg (Boxes 22-25)

This series deals exclusively with the financial aspects of the club (circa 1932-1989). Included are numerous bank statements from several different accounts, checks, canceled checks, check stubs, income tax returns, correspondence, and paid bills. An account ledger, dating between 1971 and 1983, provides a detailed listing of the balances outstanding on each member's individual account with the club. Another important part of this series is information on the Rotary Fellowship given to outstanding students who wish to pursue higher education. Budget material, dating between 1980 and 1981, is also found in the series.

Series IX: Rotary Pamphlets and Other Paraphernalia (Boxes 25-28)

Series IX contains numerous pamphlets concerning a wide range of topics relating to Rotary. These pamphlets include materials on Rotary International, the golden anniversary celebration, programs of the Rotary Conference, songs of the club, president's handbook, convention pamphlets, proposed enactments and resolutions, question and answer books, and information booklets about thefunctions and activities of the club. Inclusive dates are approximately 1925-1993. Also included are an assortment of ribbons, buttons, small flags, and banners received at various conferences. In addition, there is a map of the United States with J. Maury Gandy, Sr.'s name on the back.

Series X: Rotary Club General Files (Boxes 28-33)

Dating between 1936 and 1993, the general files contain a vast assortment of materials that were not integrated into the first nine series because they did not fit logically into these series. The more important group of files in this series pertain to the 75th anniversary banquet held by the Hattiesburg Club in 1993, the annual international conventions attended by local members, and information concerning District 684, the district in which the Hattiesburg club resides. Other materials of significance include newspaper articles, Rotary speaker bookings, programs, a president's manual, material donated by former president Powell Ogletree, and general correspondence. Also included is a file containing several past issues of the Rotarian magazine.

Series XI: Rotary Plaques and Large Banner (Boxes 33-35)

The final series in this collection contains six wooden plaques awarded to the Hattiesburg club between 1970 and 1982 in recognition of its community service efforts. The awards were presented by both Rotary International and District 684. Also in this series is the "Hannah Plaque" named for T.C. Hannah, the first president of the Hattiesburg club, and awarded to J. Maury Gandy, Sr. In addition, the series contains a seven foot banner commemorating the 75th anniversary of Rotary.

The Rotary Club of Hattiesburg Records may be valuable to researchers seeking information about Rotary, the history of Hattiesburg, or social service organizations and the role they play in the community.