Superior Rotary Club Records, 1912-1987

Scope and Content Note

The Superior Rotary Club collection documents both the club's administration and activities since its creation in 1912 through the mid-1980s. The records are divided into five series including Organizational Records, Club Activities, Administrative Records, Correspondence, and Club Publications. The collection is most complete for the early years of the club's history.

The Organizational Records are arranged chronologically and include documents pertaining to the founding of the club in 1912 such as the club charter, by-laws, and the club constitution as well as later amendments made to these documents.

The Club Activities records consist mainly of committee reports submitted to the club for approval. Arranged chronologically, these reports describe the various projects the club engaged in and illustrate the many ways the club attempted to improve Superior and the surrounding area. Also included in these records are reports from national and district Rotary meetings as well as a few speeches given by club presidents outlining plans and goals for the club's future.

The Administrative Records document the workings of the club and include an incomplete set of membership rosters from 1928-1973 including a list of the original members of the club from 1912 and which indicate the professions of club members. The director's and regular meeting minutes document the club's weekly meetings and the special meetings of the club's leadership illustrating the shifts in the club's interests and the ways in which they addressed different local and national concerns.

General Correspondence is largely from the early period of the organization, spanning the years 1912-1933. The correspondence is primarily to and from other Rotary clubs around the country relating to club business and Rotary events. There are also letters to and from federal, state and local government agencies and offices as well as letters from local businesses and other community groups in Superior. The letters highlight the interaction the Superior club had with the community and what stance it took on different issues facing the Rotary organization, the city, the state and the nation.

The Club Publications consist solely of the newsletters, 1923-1977, created by the club to keep the members informed on the weekly meeting agenda, club events and announcements. The club newsletter, called the Cog from 1928 to 1963, was printed weekly until 1972 and bi-weekly thereafter. There are gaps in this series.