New Rotary Club Forming In Beverly/Morgan Park

CHICAGO — The Beverly/Morgan Park neighborhood could soon have its own Rotary Club. A group of area Rotarians have been working with a few neighborhood residents over the past several months to bring the club to the neighborhood, where Rotary International founder Paul Harris lived for 35 years in the early 20th century.

Mera Johnson of the Montgomery Rotary Club said about a dozen local residents in Beverly/Morgan Park have shown interest in joining the new club and 20 members would be needed if they are going to submit an application to charter the club. A public meeting planned for Thursday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. at the Beverly Area Planning Association, 11109 S. Longwood Dr. will inform residents about Rotary and the future of the club. Johnson says it's hopeful then that the club will get enough members to sign up to form the charter.

"It gives you sense a community," Johnson said of Rotary clubs. "There's a lot of money raised for projects that done and it helps connect people. When you are part of a neighborhood that's close knit like this is, it's important to have groups like this to continue to instill that sense of community."

Johnson said the idea to form a club in Beverly/Morgan Park came from Rotary's recent purchase of the Paul Harris House on Longwood Drive in Morgan Park. The house, and the one next to it Johnson said, is soon to transform into a Rotary Club museum. It was only logical to seek out the possibility of forming a local Rotary Club for the neighborhood at that point, she said.

Harris lived in the home from 1912-1947, the time period in which he first came up with the Rotary concept.

Each individual Rotary club decides on how much membership dues will cost and whether they are going to meet weekly or bi-weekly, Johnson said.

The group will continue to meet and explore potential service projects until the club can officially charter, she said. The meetings will often have a brief presentation featuring local projects or organizations and include a discussion of club business. Members will also have the opportunity to network and socialize over a meal.

Anyone interested in attending the Nov. 19 meeting at BAPA should RSVP to Johnson at 630-800-9980 or merajohnson@gmail.com.