Page 2 - April 2013 Gears & Ears

About Lake Beuna Vista Rotary

When, in 1905, a Chicago Lawyer started an organization with three
business associates, he probably never dreamed that it would spread
across the world and help so many people and touch so many lives.
Paul Harris, the founder of Rotary, inspired the idea of a club that
supports both business and the community. The essence of Rotary
is fellowship and through that connection, the work of Rotary
supports local, national, and international services that are dedicated
to making the world a better place. This same goal is shared by and
inspires members of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista.

Rotary was founded as a network to help members achieve greater business success, and this
professional interchange is still important today; however, the roles and mission of Rotary
have grown well beyond. Today, members are committed to giving of their time, talent, and
treasure to continue the work of Rotary around the world. One hundred percent of the
Rotarians donations to the Rotary Foundation is used for humanitarian purposes.

Walt Disney was an honorary member of the Palm Springs, California Rotary club, so it is
fitting that a club be established on the site of his new theme park in Florida. While he did
not live to see the realization of his grand dream or the founding of the new Rotary club, in
February, 1972, just months after Walt Disney World® opened, the Rotary Club of Lake
Buena Vista was chartered at the first Rotary District Conference held on the property. As
part of our charter, the club was granted the exclusive privilege and honor of displaying the
iconic Mickey’s Ears on our Rotary badges and banners.

The Club’s first president was Frank Dennison and its first Paul Harris Fellow was Keith
Johnson. The first woman to be inducted into the Club was Sara Mobley, and the first of 28
Rotary Foundation Scholars was Dawn Chesko-Grigsby. The Club still maintains the
distinction of sponsoring more candidates selected as Rotary Foundation Scholars than
any other Club in the world.

We are proud to serve as a key Rotary makeup location. It was the goal of past president
Harold Davis to make it easy and convenient to make up missed meetings for Rotarians
visiting from around the world. Since our founding, we have enjoyed a continuous stream
of visitors who come to the Disney area for both leisure and business. Over the years,
Rotarians from dozens of countries have attended our Club’s weekly breakfast meeting
held every Thursday morning at 7:15 AM at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort—
Orlando’s best known tourism district.

Address: 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, Florida