Page 16 - Gears and Ears June 2014

Gears and Ears

Page 16 Journal of the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista June 2014

THE ROTARY CLUB

OF LAKE BUENA VISTA
STORY

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.

Walt Disney was an honorary member of the Palm Springs, California Rotary club, so it
was 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 located
on Walt Disney World at 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, Florida