Oxford Rotary Club celebrates 60th anniversary

Members of the Rotary Club of Oxford gathered at the Knolls of Oxford on June 16 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the chapter. 

The event, attended by nearly 60 people, observed the history and evolution of the Rotary club. Current members, including presidents from previous years like Marty Creech (1991-92), brought guests to recognize the various projects and notable achievements from Oxford Rotarians.

“It’s very rewarding to see people come and gather and remember the history [of] what Rotary is,” Creech said. “Scripture says without vision, people perish. I think it’s important to put vision before people, and this is one way to do that.”

Rotary International is a global service organization with 1.2 million members in 170 countries, dedicated to solving local issues, providing for communities and promoting peace. Members contribute through volunteering and organizing projects and charities for their local towns or cities, as well as collaborating with other chapters. 

The club’s motto, “service above self,” reflects the shared belief that individuals should put others before themselves. This ideology is further reflected in Rotary’s Four-Way Test, an ethical guide that has shaped the club’s actions since 1932. 

The Four-Way Test is a checklist asking if any given action or project is fair, truthful, benefits all concerned and builds goodwill and better friendships. Creech said that even with changes to certain aspects of the club, the primary goal has remained consistent with the test. 

Heidi Schiller, the recently-elected district governor of District 6670, added that regardless of a member's experience or history with the club, everyone is connected by their goal to improve their local community. 

“The heart of our individual Rotary clubs is their community and what they want to accomplish in their community through service,” Schiller said. “What you see across generations, whether it’s a member who’s been with the club for 40 years or a member who’s been with the club for a year, is that servant heart.”

Discussions for creating an Oxford Rotary chapter began in February of 1965. Seven people — including Robert Hefner, the namesake of Miami University’s Hefner Museum of Natural History — began meeting each week and talking with the district organization to become an official chapter. 

The Oxford chapter was admitted into Rotary International as part of District 6670 on June 16, 1965. One week later, the Rotary district governor, Charles E. Fey, presented the charter to the Oxford club at the Heritage Room of the Miami University Center. 

Over its 60-year history, the Oxford club has coordinated multiple service projects and fundraisers in town as well as scholarships and opportunities like a healthcare internship program for Talawanda High School students. 

The club’s largest project in the last 10 years has been its Stars & Stripes Program. Oxford residents pay a subscription for Rotarians to install a US flag on their property for Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day. The proceeds from the program support the club’s other fundraisers and projects. 

When the program first started in 2015, the club installed 100 flags. In 2023, that number rose to 800.  

“The Stars and Stripes program is a big memory for me,” Creech said. “Being able to serve in that and seeing the impact that that’s had on the community by going from 100 flags to 800 flags [in] 10 years.”

When preparing for the 60th anniversary, the planning committee, including club president Ed Solomon, wanted to create an environment where members could share memories of their time with Rotary.

“The most important part is the camaraderie of rotary and getting people together that have a lot of pride in rotary,” Solomon said. “We have a lot of people that really have a love for Rotary, and I think that’s really important.”

Oxford City Manager Doug Elliott attended the event and congratulated the club on its milestone. Toward the end of the night, Susie Sadler, a member of the planning committee, shared a message of commendation from Governor Mike DeWine. 

Solomon concluded the celebration with the installation of new officers for the next year. With his term as president coming to a close, he formally installed Kimberly Ogle as the club’s president for 2025-26. 

Going forward, Solomon said the club will continue its philanthropic efforts and will build on the Stars & Stripes Program. Another focus for the club will be recruiting younger members, something that Creech acknowledged is easier said than done.

“It seems like all service clubs are having an issue with recruiting members,” Creech said. “I think we have a challenge to get this next generation involved in the same way as past generations were. That’s why vision is so important.”

The celebration serves as a way to provide that vision, Solomon said. The night allowed members and guests to socialize, and he said the night proves how united the club is in its common goal: serving Oxford.