1905 Society of RGHF

1905 Society

The 1905 Society of RGHF – Rotary Global History Fellowship

“He uniformly over-estimated his prospective income and under-estimated his prospective outgo. He was frequently surprised at times to learn on how small an income a man could live and retain his standing as a lawyer in a great city. But he was one of many. One of his associates, Lewis Dalton, a graduate of an Indiana university, had learned much about hard times in Chicago and he gave Paul many valuable pointers; for instance, he introduced him to a place down a half-flight of stairs on Fifth Avenue which Lew had appropriately named ‘Hell’s Half Kitchen.’ Its chief recommendation lay in the fact that it dispensed a ‘stack of wheats’ with syrup for the modest sum of a nickel. It was an excellent place to get breakfast.”
Paul P. Harris, 1928 “The Founder of Rotary“

In August of 2001, attended a North American presidential conference, in Salt Lake City, Utah USA. Trying to bring awareness of his new idea to Rotary leaders, decided to locate some 1905 Liberty “V” Nickels (the year acknowledged as the founding of The Rotary Club of Chicago) at local Salt Lake City coin shops.
These rare coins to some of the leaders present at that conference. In the next three years, these coins were presented, to leaders in Rotary (below) who showed stewardship in learning and preserving the history and philosophy of Rotary.
RGHF has one tangible connection with the start of the first Rotary club. Paul Harris and his close friends Silvester Schiele and Harry Ruggles most likely carried many of these nickels in 1905.

Matts Ingemansson presenting the 1905 Liberty Nickel award to George C. McKinnis at a podium — Matts Ingemansson present the 1905 “nickel” to George C. McKinnis

A man pins a 1905 Society medal on a Rotarian's jacket at a club meeting with Rotary banners in the background — I thank all of you for so honoring me.
Best regards,
George C. McKinnis

Olaoluwa Olugbodi holding a framed 1905 Society certificate award, standing beside another man in a Rotary banner setting — Olaoluwa Olugbodi 2018

Woman pinning a 1905 Society award pin on a man's jacket lapel — Irv Kaplan, 2011

A woman in colorful traditional attire and a man wearing a Rotary lanyard pose together, holding a 1905 Society award plaque — 2014 Sydney RGHF zone 20an board member DG 15/16 Ijeoma Pearl Okoro and RGHF zone 08 board member Tom Shanahan

Two men in suits shaking hands and smiling at a Rotary event — RIP 13/14 Ron Burton and RIP 02/03 Jon Majiyagbe and four more RGHF members were inducted in 2013.

Two men and a woman in conversation at an indoor gathering, city skyline visible through window — Bill Turner and Sue Davis-Hornby, Denver 2012

RI President Sakuji Tanaka speaking at a podium, Bangkok 2012 — RI President Sakuji Tanaka, Bangkok 2012

4 May 2012, Bangkok. RGHF Executive Vice President Prakash Saraswat, India

Portrait of Richards P. Lyon, honored at the 1905 Society in Napa, California, 2011 — 31 Aug 2011 Richards P. Lyon, Napa, California, USA

Man receiving 1905 Society certificate and award from a Rotarian wearing a Rotary pin — 1905 Awards at IC11, New Orleans.

Portrait of a smiling older man in a suit and blue shirt, receiving a 1905 Society award — Presentation of 1905 Society Awards at the 100th convention, Birmingham, UK 2009

Man pinning the 1905 Society award on another man's lapel, Birmingham convention 2009 — RIBI President 2000-2001 Norman Proctor with RGHF board member Tim Tucker

Man speaking at podium beside RGHF banners, with seated man in Rotary blazer at table nearby — 2010 – Our 1905 Society Awards at our 10th anniversary went to five RGHF members

Group of seven RGHF members posing together at the 2010 1905 Society Awards, marking the group's 10th anniversary — 2008 Awards: Matts Ingemanson, USA; Joe Kagle, USA; RIPN John Kenny, Scotland; and Calum Thomson, Scotland.

Group photo of five people at a podium during the 2009 1905 Society Awards at the RI convention in Birmingham, UK — There were three members of RGHF inducted into the “1905 Society” at the 2007 Salt Lake City Convention. PDG Geri Apple, USA; PDG Eddie Blender, USA; and RGHF Senior Historian Basil Lewis, UK.

Woman pinning a 1905 Society medal onto a man's lapel at an award presentation — Wilf Wilkinson 2007 RI President Wilf accepted his nomination to the 1905 Society at the 2006 Zones 25/26 Institute.

Don Murphy, the first Managing Webmaster of RGHF, speaking at a podium in front of a Rotary International wheel emblem — Donald Murphy, 2007

RGHF Senior Historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler, portrait in front of bookshelves — RGHF Senior Historian Dr. Wolfgang Ziegler On 16 November 2006, RGHF founding member and past chairman Matts Ingemanson traveled to Bavaria, Germany, from his home in New York City, to present the “1905 Society” award to Historian Ziegler, since 2001.

Dick McKay, wearing a Rotary presidential collar, ringing the Rotary centennial bell with a gavel — Dick McKay was one of the four founders of the Rotary Global History Fellowship project and served as secretary/treasurer from 2001 to 2004. In 2004 he was named the first emeritus member of the organization, 5 January 2004, as “Founding Secretary Treasurer Emeritus” while continuing to sit on the fellowship board. As the 2003-04 president of Rotary Club of Chicago, he was the first club president to ring Rotary International’s centennial bell on 1 July 2003.

Two men in suits at an indoor event, one presenting a small card or coin to the other — Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar, of the Rotary Club of Göteborg, Sweden, President of Rotary International in 2005-06. Presentation made by Rotary Global History Fellowship senior historian PDG Dr. Eddie Blender, in Denver, January 2006

Glenn E. Estess, RI President 2004-2005, receiving the 1905 Society award at a Rotary Club podium — Glenn Estess, Sr. Glenn led Rotary during its centennial year and planned to honor the founders and the history of Rotary. 2004-2005

Man presenting a coin to Jonathan Majiyagbe during a handshake, with caption "Jonathan Majiyagbe, RIP 2003-04 — Jonathan Majiyagbe The first black president and the first from Africa of Rotary International, from Kano, Nigeria. A strong believer in the value of history.

Bhichai Rattakul receiving 1905 Society nickel award, seated with others at a dinner table — Bhichai Rattakul A former delegate to the United Nations from his native country, Thailand, Bhichai was president in 2002-2003.Shown with Rotary Global History Fellowship founding member PDG Eddie Blender

Richard D. King, RIP 2001-2002, seated, with a man standing beside him at a banquet event — Rick King Rick encouraged the use of the history fellowship to increase communication among clubs. RI President 2001-2002

Frank J. Devlyn, RI President 2000-2001, smiling with a woman holding a small blue 1905 Society award item — Frank Devlyn Frank endorsed the history fellowship and became an advisor of the project in 2003. He called history an “instrumental tool for those forward-thinking people who wish to learn from our history, in order to guide our future.” Frank Devlyn was RI president 1999-2000. Shown with Rotary Global History Fellowship founding member PDG Geri Appel.

Glen W. Kinross, RI president 1997-98, standing before a "Show Rotary Cares" banner — Glen Kinross Glen, the fifth president from Australia and New Zealand was president from 1997-1998

Luis Vicente Giay, RI president 1996-97, receiving the 1905 Society nickel pin from a Rotary Global History Fellowship member — Luis Giay Luis worked with a history fellowship after his presidency. 1996-1997.

Clifford L. Dochterman, RI president 1992-93, with Mary Elena Dochterman, both smiling, wearing name badges — Cliff Dochterman & Mary Elena Dochterman, Cliff served as RI president from 1992-1993. His book the “ABC’s” of Rotary added greatly to our history. A noted historian, speaker and author.

Gary Huang, RID 2000-02, seated at a banquet table wearing a name badge — Gary Huang Vice President of Rotary in 2000, RIP 2014/15

Norbert Turco, RID 2000-02, speaking at a podium with a microphone at the 2001 Rotary North American conference — Norbert Turco RI treasurer in 2001 and a strong supporter of Rotary Global History Fellowship – Archive.

Floyd Olson, RI director 2001-03, speaking at podium with Rotary and US flags behind him — Floyd Olson Floyd was RI director for Zones 23-24 from 2001-2003 and supported the project on his zone website

Lynn Hammond, RI director 2000-02, with his wife Norma, wearing Rotary pins and badges — Lyyn and Norma Hammond RI director Lynn Hammond was a great friend of the history fellowship. He and his wife Norma were the inspiration for our “What Paul Harris Said” feature. He served in zones 25-26 from 2000-2002

Jerry Meigs, RID 2001-2003, wearing a suit and convention name badge, looking down at a small item in his hand — Jerry Meigs Jerry represented zones 27-28, 2001-2003, during the formative years of the history fellowship and was a strong supporter. Shown with Rotary Global History Fellowship founding member PDG Geri Appel

Don Osburn, RI director 2000-02, receiving the 1905 Society nickel award from a colleague — Don Osburn, Don was a good friend of history from the beginning, serving as director 2000-2002 from zones 31-32. He served as the aide to President Glenn Estess in 2004-2006

Portrait of Gary Michaux, RID 2000-02, smiling in a suit and patterned tie — David Michaux David represented zones 34-35 from 2000-2002 and supported the project on his zone website.

Mike Pinson, RID 2002-04, shaking hands with another Rotarian at an award presentation event — Mike Pinson Mike represented zones 25-26 on the RI board from 2002-2004 and promoted Rotary Global History Fellowship – Archive.Shown with Rotary Global History Fellowship founding member, PDG Eddie Blender

Gary Huang and a man present a certificate award to a woman, standing before a portrait painting — Robin K. Dillow, Formerly RI Archives Department

Ed Futa, RI General Secretary, speaking at a podium microphone, North American conference, Salt Lake City — Ed Futa Ed, a PDG from Hawaii, became General Secretary of Rotary International in 2000

Danny Brock, District Governor 2001-02, District 5420, standing outdoors in suit and tie — Danny Brock 2001-2002 Utah DG, Danny was active in the building of the history fellowship.

Joaquín Mejía, Supervisor, Club and District Administration, Western North America Rotary International, smiling with a woman at an event — Joaquín Mejía Joaquín, is from Mexico City, The first list of the “First Fifty Clubs” was a type written sheet which he provided. A constant source of support he is a staff member of Rotary International and an Rotary Global History Fellowship director. Shown with Rotary Global History Fellowship founding member PDG Geri Appel.

Garth Stevens, New Zealand Project Chairman, smiling in a portrait photo against a blue background — Garth Stevens While dying of cancer, Garth completed the first 10 histories of his county, New Zealand. He died shortly after the last was published. A true hero, gentle-man and friend. His work will forever be his tribute. He received his “coin” award shortly before he died.

Marlene Brown, RYLA Webmaster and History Project Designer, smiling in a portrait photo — Marlene Brown Marlene spent many weeks during the formation of this project to give it a look, that mostly remains today. She is a hard working Rotarian known throughout the Rotary world and was named an honorary member of our committee. In 2008 Marlene became the first eClub member to become a district Governor

Cyndi Beck, RI Assistant Archivist, receiving a 1905 Society coin award from a Rotarian in a formal presentation — Cyndi DeBock Cyndi, (right) former assistant archivist at Rotary International, was invaluable in the formation of this project. Her work and touch is found throughout. She is one of our best friends in Evanston.

Helen Reisler smiling, inset over a photo of her at a podium with the New York Rotary club banner, labeled "Helen Reisler, NY#6 2001-02 — Helen Reisler Helen was the first woman to preside over club #6. And club #6 is RC of New York City and her year was 2001-2002. She was the leader and the glue that bound shocked members and a part of a grieving community after the tragedy of 9/11 when two fully fueled airliners packed with passengers were used as bombs at New York’s World Trade Center.

David J. Liddiatt, smiling, wearing glasses, labeled "David J. Liddiatt, President 2001-02 RIBI — Davit Liddiatt President of R.I.B.I in 2001-2002; RID 2009/11, and a contributor to the knowledge of British and Irish history on this project.

Two men smiling at a podium during Fred Otto's induction into the RGHF Paul Harris Society, June 2022 — On June 30, 2022 Rotarian Fred Otto a member of The Chicago O Hare Rotary Club was inducted into the RGHF Paul Harris Society with the 1905 Liberty Nickel, our highest recognition award for his Service Above Self of great benefit to our RGHF.

Kent Vesterberg speaks with microphone beside Gordon McInally on a boat during the Stockholm presentation — RIPE 2022-2023 Gordon McInally, member of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry, Lothian, Scotland.

Presentation was made in Sweden June 21 2023, on a boat trip in Stockholm archipelago, by Kent Vesterberg, RC Stockholms-Västa, board member of RGHF