West Jax Rotary

In its second year the club, through its committees, really got rolling. Several innovations were implemented which were to be continued for many years.

Youth Employment

One of the most active committees was Youth Service, headed by Walter Watson. Its first project was the Youth Employment Bureau with Eddie Wilkinson acting as director. Questionnaires were sent to each member asking him to list jobs and associated qualifications which he would have available for employment of youths during the summer months. These lists were given to knowledgeable people engaged in youth activities to screen and pick youths qualified for the jobs. Although no data were available to indicate how many youths were thus employed, the number is said to have been “quite a few.”

Scholarships

The Community Service Committee chaired by Thad Moseley held several meetings deciding the type of scholarships which the club should grant to needy students. It was finally decided that $5.00 per member each quarter be set aside specifically for scholarships. Determination of qualifications of the candidates and recommendations regarding allotment were delegated to the committee, subject to approval by the board of directors. The final decision was to use the fund solely to aid needy youths living within the territorial jurisdiction of the club. Two $300.00 scholarships for the 1969—70 school year and four $300.00 scholarships for each year thereafter were established for tuitions at Florida Junior College. The committee could propose candidates, but the selection would be left to FJC administration.

Brig Lectures

An innovation started in 1969 - 1970 which continues today as an outstanding and unique community service program was the Brig Lecture. Rod Porter and a small group of businessmen had, for some time before the formation of the club, been giving talks to incarcerated servicemen at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station. These servicemen “in the brig” were generally not hardened criminals but rather confused, immature youths whose military service, either through “less than desirable” discharge or end of enlistment, was about to expire. The purpose of the talks was to help the young servicemen in trouble adjust to civilian life. Rod and his small group gave weekly talks to the brig sailors on jobs and their qualifications available in the community after discharge; attitudes, personality, and character attributes which would adjust them to “the outside world”; and inspiring examples of others who had made good despite previous records of being in trouble. The “Brig Lectures” had been in existence only a short time when they abruptly were ended by the transfer of the naval chaplain in charge of the program. The lectures, however, had proved exceedingly worthwhile, thus Rod proposed the club take over the program. The directors and the members enthusiastically approved, much to the delight of the base commanding officer.

Fellowship

At the June 11 meeting, luncheon guests were children of members attending college or the eleventh grade of New Stanton, Paxon, Butler, Forrest, and Lee High Schools. From a $100.00 appropriation, each student was given a favor as a memento of the first time he or she attended a Rotary meeting with his or her dad. A Ladies Night was held February 19 at the Timuquana Country Club. Clayton Riley, instructed to make it a gala affair, did just that. After an hour-long cash bar and dinner of prime rib roast with all the trimmings, the event featured dancing to the music of the John Arnold Four. Clate made himself further popular with his dictum, “No speeches!”

General

Capt. Billy Phillips, commander Carrier Air Group Four, Naval Air Station Cecil Field, became the club’s first honorary member. Bob Shircliff was designated as the club’s official delegate to the Rotary International convention in Hawaii. Oh yes, it was Bob who proposed that steak be served at every luncheon meeting of our club - why is anybody’s guess. At any rate, members who read this item in the future may praise or blame Bob for this innovation which also has continued through the years.
Club membership increased by fifteen new members bringing the total to sixty. A popular luncheon program, begun in 1969 and continued for many years, highlights club members who explain, “How I got to where I’m at.

In his swan song, Rod aptly summarized the second year of the club:
“We have seen our club grow into maturity and begin functioning as a Rotary club. Our first year’s activities were devoted to developing membership and getting to know one another. The second year of our club’s life has seen us settle down and function as we were intended to.”