The Rotary Club of Conroe is celebrating a monumental milestone this year, marking its 100th anniversary of dedicated community service. Officially chartered on July 1, 1924, the club has been an unwavering pillar in Montgomery County for a full century.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jeff Bradley, who serves as president for the 2024-25 year, the club continues its mission of "Service Above Self." Brian R. Bond, immediate past president for the 2023-24 year, played a key role in overseeing the extensive planning for the centennial celebrations. Charlie Winkler is slated to lead the club as president for the 2025-26 term.
With over 100 members, the Rotary Club of Conroe meets every Wednesday at noon at the Conroe Marriott.
The club's local impact is extensive and far-reaching. A cornerstone initiative is its large-scale literacy program, which ensures every third-grade student in Conroe ISD, Willis ISD, and Covenant Christian School receives their own dictionary. Beyond this, the Rotary Club of Conroe provides vital support to numerous local non-profit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity, Angel Reach, Meals on Wheels, the Montgomery County Food Bank, and the Crisis Assistance Center. They also provide scholarships to students across Conroe ISD, Willis ISD, and Montgomery ISD, and sponsor local youth to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program.
On an international scale, the club actively sponsors exchange students, currently hosting students from Argentina and Denmark, fostering global understanding and cultural exchange. They also contribute significantly to Rotary International's global effort to eradicate polio, working towards a healthier world for all.
To fund these impactful initiatives, the club hosts its largest annual fundraising event, Lobsterfest, typically held each October.
Reflecting on its origins, the Rotary Club of Conroe was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Houston and began with 16 prominent local businessmen. Their very first president was W.L. Davis, who at the time served as cashier at the First National Bank of Conroe. The club’s inaugural meeting took place on July 2, 1924, at the historic Little Palm Dining Room. Its formation followed the establishment of Rotary International in Chicago in 1905, extending the global service organization's reach into the heart of Conroe.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Conroe, visit ConroeRotary.org. Information about Rotary International can be found at Rotary.org.
