Traditions
Order of Business
The order of business for out meetings has followed a set format for many years. The meeting is called to order by the President at 12:10 p.m. and is followed immediately by the Pledge of Allegiance, which is succeeded by singing "America" (My Country 'Tis of Thee) and then the invocation, led by a different member each meeting. After a lunch break, the Sergeant-at-Arms opens the third part of the meeting by introducing any visiting Rotarians and guests, then entertaining the club with humor and trivia. The President then takes over to address any club business, before presenting the program committee chair for the month to introduce the program for the day.
Social Events with Spouses and Guests
For many years, the Club has had two outstanding social events that include spouses and Members' guests. The Installation Dinner held in late June is when the incoming President and Board of Directors are officially installed. This relatively formal event typically includes the District 6060 Governor or other visiting Rotarian dignitaries. The Progressive Dinner was a member-favorite for decades, with a cocktail hour at the home of a Rotarian followed by dinner at various homes, and then by dessert at another home for everyone to meet up again. After COVID, the Progressive Dinner morphed into a Holiday Party with "heavy appetizers" and desserts. It is always held on the first Saturday in December, come rain, hail, sleet, snow, or shine.
Rotary - Lions Golf Tournament
Following a few years of informal competition, the Webster Rotary vs. the Webster Lions Golf Tournament was started in 1972 and was a popular hit for many years. The "youngsters" of Webster Lions challenged the "old men" of Rotary. Webb Rogers of Webster Rotary donated the traveling trophy still doing the rounds. Regardless of who won, nobody really seems to care too much - well, except for a few very competitive souls. The fellowship between the two service organizations served the community well, although it has not been scheduled for a number of years.
Webster Groves High School Choir Holiday Concert
For many years, the Webster Groves High School A Capella Choir performed for the Club during the Holiday Season. Spouses and other guests are always welcomed to attend this special occasion. At the end of the performance, the Club gives the choir director a donation from Members, helping the school's musical tradition live on.
Friendly Fines
Fines and assessments are a fun tradition of every Rotary club, since they can never be excessive enough to embarrass any member. Fines are levied by the Sergeant-at-Arms for such things as not wearing a Rotary pin, not knowing the answer to some question or trivia about Rotary or other important subject, and so on. Rotarians are also fined if they are in the newspapers, are heard on radio, or seen on television; the larger the exposure, the higher the fine the member is expected to pay - in the 2000s Mike Keenoy was featured in a number of the St. Louis Rams television commercials, making him a major fine payee. All proceeds from these "penalties" are donated to The Rotary Foundation. The amount typically exceeds $1,000 each year.
Happy Bucks and 50-50
These are new traditions started in the middle to late 1990s. "Happy Bucks" was introduced after its success at the Clayton Rotary Club. For the cost of one dollar (one buck) Rotarians and/or guests can stand up and make an announcement to the Club. Most of these relate to additions to the family, graduations, promotions, and other "good news." Most Rotarians announce their news succinctly, but some go for longer periods, which requires more than the one buck, depending on the time they take to give their message. Such was the case of Werner Bauer, a Pearl Harbor survivor, who enjoyed addressing the Club at length over many years. Collected funds are forwarded to The Rotary Foundation.
The 50-50 involves a drawing at the end of each meeting. Each attendee may "buy" numbered tickets for the chance to "win" 50 percent of what is sold." The day's speaker randomly selects the winning ticket stub. The Club retains the remaining 50 percent, which it sends to The Rotary Foundation. This is another fun and inexpensive way to raise money for The Foundation. For the past twenty-five years, Happy Bucks and 50-50 receipts have exceeded $1,000 each year.
Inter-City Meetings
Since 1958, Inter-City has promoted monthly Rotary fellowship in Metro-St. Louis. All Rotarians have an organized opportunity to visit host clubs and to discover old/new friends and make-up locations. Inter-City meetings feature high-demand keynote speakers appealing to Rotarians throughout the metro-area. Our Club has won the "Most Attending" and "Highest Percentage" traveling trophies many times.
St. Louis Cardinals Update
An annual Club tradition began in the late 1980s, with a visit from Marty Hendin, vice president of community relations for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was one of our most popular speakers, since he knew baseball, was a Cardinals expert, and always delivered an amusing program. Although not a member of a Rotary club, Marty was a Rotarian in spirit and action. Although Marty passed away in January 2008, other Cardinals representatives have continued making annual visits to our Club.