Killeen Rotary History

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A History and Timeline of the Killeen Rotary Club 

This area of sagebrush and wilderness was first settled in 1834. The earliest settlers were repeatedly driven off by Indian attacks, with the last of these attacks, the massacre of John and Jane Riggs on March 16, 1859.

The coming of the railroad in May 1882 marked the beginning of the town named after Frank P. Killeen, an employee of the railroad. Many families from the surrounding and much older communities moved to Killeen to be near the railroad.

The early 1900’s were a calm, small town period for Killeen. The town was economically tied to the Santa-Fe railroad and the cotton produced by the local farmers. The businesses were small, family-oriented establishments. 

In 1942 this small “minding its own business” type community experienced a dramatic change with the coming of a tank destroyer post, named after the Confederate General John Bell Hood, the commander of the feared Texas Brigade. The military installation created, in effect, another town. Gone were the dirt roads and cotton farms of this farm-to-market center, and a thriving city, complete with computerized banking, malls, an airline, and burgeoning population of more than 55,000 emerged. Killeen became a home rule city when the first charter was adopted in 1949. 

The Killeen Rotary Club resulted from a meeting held on January 28, 1960 at the Steak House in Killeen.  Representatives of the sponsoring club, the Rotary Club of Belton, met with prospective Killeenites, and Rotary International quickly completed preliminary groundwork for approval.  Rotary International granted the club Charter on February 12, 1960.  That day the new club had twenty-one members.  Five additional members were installed by April 22, 1960 when the first Charter Banquet was held at the Killeen High School. Rotary District 587 Governor, O.V. Koen of Austin, Texas, presented the Killeen Rotary Club its Charter. Barney Sissoms was elected the club’s first Club President and Dr. R.J. Whitten was elected the first club Secretary. The Club met every Wednesday at 12:05pm at the Moss Rose Café located at the intersection of business highway 190 and 10th street in Killeen. Later the club moved to the Venus Café immediately southwest of the intersection of 2^nd and business highway 190. 

The names of all Charter members of the Killeen Rotary Club, their entry classifications and offices held are indicated below.

OFFICERS 

  Other Charter Members 

New Members (April 22, 1960) 

The Killeen Rotary Club sponsored the activation of three Rotary Clubs -- The Lampasas Rotary Club (with help from the Marble Falls Rotary Club) in July 1966, the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club in 1985, and assisted in forming the Killeen Evening Rotary Club in 1990 (sponsored by the Killeen-Heights Club).

The Killeen Rotary Club hosted four District Conferences: 

and co-hosted the District Conference in 1989 and 1995 with the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club.

Former club member Colin “Ick” Hook served as District Governor, Rotary District 587, in 1976-77. Former member Bob Adams was the District Governor during the 1988-89 Rotary year, and former member Mike Pinson served as District Governor, Rotary District 5870 during the 1994-95 Rotary year.

The Killeen Rotary Club has been fortunate to have great leaders serve as its President since it was chartered in February 1960. Their names and dates served are listed below. 

The following Club Rotarians are recognized members of District 5870 “Roll of Fame” in the year indicated: 

Since 1989, the club has recognized one of its members as the outstanding “Rotarian of the Year”.  The award is presented to that member who best exemplifies the true spirit of Rotary through his or her actions and/or deeds as a Rotarian, and best embodies the Principles of Rotary in their personal and professional relationship.  Recipients of the award are:

The club has been active in numerous local, regional, and international activities during its almost four decades of services.  Naming only a few of these......the Club: 

Honors a “Teacher of the Month” and a “Teacher of the Year” in the Killeen Independent School District and has done so since 1978.  In 1990, the club began honoring the “Employee of the Quarter” and the same year started sponsorship of the “Junior Achievement” program at Rancier Middle School. 

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Has provided continued assistance to the community through its support for the C.R. Clements Boys’and Girls’ Club, local sponsorships to Central Texas College and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA). It also supports programs such as Families-in-Crisis, Little League, Senior Citizens, Adopt-A-School, Friends of the Library, Crime Stoppers, YMCA, Project Graduation, Special Olympics, Food Care and Project Hope programs, and many other local organizations.  Since 1965, the club has sponsored Boy Scouts of America Troop 287 on a continuing basis. 

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Provides counselors and guest speakers for the Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA) camps as an ongoing project. Has sponsored twelve RYLA students. 

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Has adopted both a “brother and sister” club in Tampico del Norte, Mexico and assisted in procuring for them a fire truck, an ambulance, and medical supplies. 

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Has hosted Group Study Exchange members visiting Central Texas Rotary clubs from the Philippines, Australia (2), Central America, India (3), Sweden, Argentina, South Africa, Chile, Brazil, Japan, England (2) and Korea.  The club has also provided membership to Group Study Exchange teams that visited the Philippines, India, Brazil, Australia, England, and South Africa. 

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Has been instrumental in securing Rotary International Scholarships for several local students. To date, seven outstanding students have received scholarships to study abroad in Great Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Holland and Singapore.

During the 1989-1990, the Killeen Rotary Club was presented with the 10,000 Percent Award from Rotary International in recognition for its support of the Rotary International Foundation.

For the Rotary year 1990-1991, the Killeen Rotary Club was acknowledged for maintaining the highest attendance percentage within District 5870 and was recognized as the most outstanding club in District 5870.

During the 1991-1992 Rotary years, the club proposed and implemented a tri-club concept of joint Rotary Club meetings with all three Killeen area Rotary Clubs.  Each club “hosted” one joint club meeting during the year.  The three local clubs also joined together in planning for a Rotaract and Interact club and a youth center for the Killeen-Harker Heights-Fort Hood area.

During 1992-1993 Rotary year, the club was one of six (6) Rotary Clubs in District 5870 recognized by Rotary International as a “Well-Balanced Club”.  The Club’s membership fulfilled its pledge to the Rotary Foundation “Polio Plus” program in the amount of $22,208. Major General Wesley K. Clark, Commanding General, 1st Cavalry Division; Fort Hood, Texas became the Club’s second honorary member. By 1997 General Clark rose to one of the highest military positions in the world-Commander-in Chief, United States European Command (a US Military position) and the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe (a NATO) position. Don MacWillie was his sponsor.   Rex Weaver served as District 5870 Governor’s Group representative. 

During the 1993-1994 Rotary year, the Killeen Rotary Club was, once again, designated a “Well-Balanced Club” by Rotary International. It was also recognized for its significant monetary contributions to the Rotary International Foundation and Desmond W. “Bill” Wilson was presented the Rotary Foundation District Service Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and many contributions to the success of the Rotary International Foundation program during the previous five years. Bill was only the third person in District 5870 to ever receive this recognition. 

Barney Sissoms, Charter Member and first President of the Killeen Rotary Club died on May 30, 1994 in Killeen, Texas. Barney was active in the Killeen Rotary Club from 1960-1979, was a Paul Harris Fellow and the first Rotarian of the Club to become a member of the District 587 Roll of Fame (1963). Gene Wentworth assembled the many different song sheets used by the membership into one standardized Club Songbook and dedicated the final product to the memory of Killeen Rotarian PR Cox who died in 1989. Administrative action was taken to establish the Killeen Rotary Club Foundation. One hundred percent of the club’s membership became Paul Harris sustaining members. Don MacWillie served as District 5870 first Training Officer and Rex Weaver served as District 5870 Rotary International Foundation Committee as Chair. 

During the 1994-1995 year, the Rotary Club of Killeen was again recognized for its outstanding support of the Rotary International Foundation and its club membership attendance performance. Nathan Feldt (1914-1994), the last living active Charter Member of the Killeen Rotary Club and a Past President (1969-1970), died. Nate was a Paul Harris Fellow. To honor his memory, his commitment, and involvement in this community the Board of Directors renamed the Killeen Rotary Club Service Award to the Nathan Feldt Community Service Award. The club had the highest attendance percentage within District 5870.  Donald M. MacWillie, Jr. was presented the District 5870 Distinguished Service Award by the District Governor, Mike Pinson in recognition of exceptional leadership and devoted service. Don also planned, coordinated and executed the first training program for District Governor Representatives in District 5870.The program he established is still being used to train Assistant Governors in the year 2000.  Rex Weaver served as District 5870 Rotary International Foundation Committee Chair for the second consecutive year. All members of the club continued to maintain their Paul Harris sustaining membership in the Rotary International Foundation program.

During the 1995-1996 year, the Club again led District 5870 in per capita contributions to the Rotary International Foundation and maintained its one hundred percent participation in the Paul Harris sustaining membership program. Bill McKinney served as District 5870 Group Study Exchange Committee Chair. 

During the 1996-1997 Rotary year, the Club sponsored Ms. Lorraine Lythall from Blackheath, New South Wales, and Australia as an Exchange Student. Lorraine attended Killeen High School as a senior. In June, George and Sharon Moses, Don and Judy MacWillie, Rex and Bobby Weaver with granddaughter, Abigale joined with District Governor, John Salem, and other members of the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club to travel to Glasgow, Scotland to attend the Rotary International Convention. This was the Weaver’s third International Convention. Once again, the Club’s International Foundation program exceeded all expectations and was third in per capita contributions within District 5870. Bill McKinney served as District 5870 Group Study Exchange Subcommittee Chair. 

The 1997-1998 Rotary year was a “very good year” for the Killeen Rotary Club. There were many “firsts” beginning with the installation of the first husband and /wife presidency. Bobbie Weaver, wife of Rex Weaver, past president of the Killeen Rotary Club, was installed as the 38th Club president. The Club agreed to participate in a new Rotary Inter-Country Teacher Exchange Program whose purpose is to provide a cultural exchange between teachers in seven different countries. James Scott, a teacher from Killeen, was selected as the club’s first exchange teacher and traveled to Mexico for a one-month exchange tour. The first Nathan Feldt Community Service Award for outstanding service to the community was presented to Don MacWillie for his service and contributions to the Heart O’ Texas Goodwill Industries, Inc. during the period 1989 to 1998. The Killeen Rotary Club made a $300.00 contribution to Mr. MacWillie’s favorite charity, the Rotary International Foundation, in recognition of his extended community service.  

The Club was recognized by Rotary International with the Presidential Citation to Show Rotary Cares. Net club membership grew from 47 to 65 members, a thirty-eight percent increase during the year, and the Killeen Rotary Club’s International Foundation Committee, under the leadership of Bill Wilson, significantly surpassed all the revenue goals it set for itself.  Once again, the Club led District 5870 in per capita giving to the Rotary International Foundation.  The Club hosted a Group Study Exchange team from England’s Rotary District 1070 for one week in May. Members of the visiting GSE team were taken on a “command level” tour of Fort Hood, Texas as well as various vocational and recreational trips throughout Central Texas.  James Lee’s son, Louis, was selected to participate as a member of a Youth Exchange program and visited Zell, Austria for three weeks with eighteen other young Texas’ youth. The Club agreed to look into the possibility of participating with the members of the Tampico Del Norte Rotary Club in Mexico to fund a mosquito education and control research program. Rex Weaver served as Assistant District 5870 Governor, a position he served in once previously, and Bill McKinney served as District 5870 Group Study Exchange Subcommittee Chair. 

On November 4, the Club celebrated Rotary International Foundation month with Past District Governor (1975-1976) CE “Gene” Neal as guest speaker. PDG Gene presented members with ten Sustaining membership pins, ten Paul Harris Fellow medallions with certificate, and five Benefactor certificates with pins. He also recognized the Killeen Rotary club for being the number one club in District 5870 during Rotary year 1997-1998 in per capita giving to the Rotary International Foundation. Bill Wilson, Chair of the Club’s Rotary International Foundation program, was presented with the 1997-1998 District 5870 Rotary Foundation Award for “Service Above Self” in recognition of his leadership in and contribution to the District 5870 Foundation program. 

On December 2, the Nominating Committee (Jim Wilson, Rex Weaver, Don MacWillie) proposed the following Club members be considered by the full membership to fill positions as officers and board members on the 1999-2000 Killeen Rotary Club Board of Directors as indicated. To be President, Robert Jones; President-Elect, Kathy McPherson; Vice President (Programs}, Amy Millsap, Vice President (Budget), Secretary, Alberta Barrett; Treasurer, James Lee; Sergeant-at-Arms. Members proposed to serve on the Board of Directors were Jenny Weaver Flugum; Director, Club Service, Barbara Sias-Chinn; Director, Vocational Service, Eartha Bason; Director, Community Service, Liz Dierksmeier; Director, International Service, Tom French; Membership development, Bill Wilson; Classification, Tim Short; and Past President, Kirk Tidwell. One week later, on December 9, the full club membership voted unanimously to accept the nominations as presented. 

At the December 9th meeting Ms. Letici Simington from Killeen High School and Mr. John Kleiwer from Ellison High School were announced as winners of the Four-Way-Test composition contest. Letici and John presented their compositions to the General Membership and received a plaque recognizing their individual achievement. President Kirk announced that Ms. Patsy Long Derr, a member of the Killeen-Heights Rotary Club, had been selected to be the District 5870 Governor Nominee-Nominee for the Rotary year 2000-2001. Patsy will become the first Women to hold the position of District Governor in District 5870. Ms. Derr had previously served as the District Governor’s Representative and Assistant District Governor to the Killeen Rotary Club. The announcement was well received by the membership. 

On February 1, 1999, Metroplex Hospital led by the efforts of Glenn Cosper of the Killeen Rotary Club, donated two major pieces of cancer detection equipment to the Tampico Del Norte Club to distribute to two hospitals that serve the poor in Tampico, Mexico. The retail value of the two-mammography machines was $112,000. District Governor Billy Archibald, Assistant District Governor Pat Derr, Past District Governor Mike Pinson, and Kirk Tidwell, President of the Killeen Rotary Club were on hand for the presentation. Following the event, Metroplex Hospital hosted a luncheon for the participants at the Plaza Hotel in Killeen. Tampico Club President Daniel Torres and distinguished Rotarian Jose Chow presented a beautiful piece of aluminum and copper original art to Metroplex Hospital and the Killeen Rotary Club. Women inmates from Tampico created the art. Men inmates framed it and the wives of members of the Tampico Rotary Club marketed it. Revenues collected from this program are used to support a rehabilitation program in Tampico whose purpose is to provide prisoners with the necessary skills to make a living once out of prison. 

On Thursday, February 11, 1999 members of the Killeen Rotary Club and their families celebrated the Clubs 38^th anniversary of Charter Night at Primo’s Restaurant on Fort Hood. Honored guests were Billy and Linda Archibald, District Governor and First Lady; Cleo Bay and family, Charter Member; and Mary Lee Barr-Cox, Rose Burke, and Billie Laney spouses of deceased club members. On behalf of the President of Rotary International, Governor Billy, recognized Desmond W. “Bill” Wilson with the first Four Avenues of Service Citation for Individual Rotarians ever presented in District 5870.  The citation is personally signed by the President of Rotary International and commends the service carried out by Bill Wilson on behalf of the Killeen Rotary Club through participation in service activities in the avenues of Club, Vocational, Community and International Service. Governor Billy also presented George Moses the second Nathan Feldt Community Service Award for his outstanding service to the community. The Killeen Rotary Club made a $300.00 contribution to Mr. Moses’ favorite charity, the Mid-Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross, for his services to the community. Bill Wilson, Rotary Club Foundation Chair, presented two Paul Harris Medallions with certificates and three Sustaining membership pins to fellow Rotarians in recognition of their financial contributions and dedication to the goals of the Rotary International Foundation. Chuck and Marge Reinhardt presented the evening’s program. They spoke on the importance of classification talks and knowing your fellow Rotarian. They presented numerous humorous examples of how past club members had contributed to the success of their dry cleaning business in the Central Texas area. 

Tom French represented the Killeen Rotary Club at the Bi-district Friendship Reunion held in Matamoros, Mexico during the period 19-20 February. Tom was able to visit with many members of our Sister Rotary Club, Tampico Del Norte, and to coordinate further the mosquito control and eradication program both Clubs have agreed to participate in jointly. 

During the evening of Thursday, March 11, 1999, eight members of the Club participated in the annual KNCT-TV (channel 4) Telethon to raise funds for the Central Texas Public Broadcasting TV station. Members on the telethon teams were: Damon Cluck and his two guests Jonathan and Traciflynn Coleman, Butch Menking, Tommy Wallace, Jack Wade, Judy Schaffer, Tom French, Lillian Young, and Gene Wentworth. Gene lead the team's effort and acted as co-host for the telethon. The team's goal was to encourage area viewers to pledge their support to Public Broadcasting by raising $2000.00. By the end of the evening the team had received over $4,325.00 in pledges.

On Thursday, April 8, District 5870 held a District wide Foundation Dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Waco, Texas to raise money for the Rotary International Foundation and its "Polio Plus" program. The Foundation dinner was scheduled in conjunction with and preceded the annual District 5870 Conference scheduled for the following two days. Bill Huntley, former President of Rotary International (1994-1995) was the guest speaker at the event. The Killeen Rotary Club was, once again, recognized as the number one club in District 5870 during Rotary year 1997-1998 in per capita giving to the Rotary International Foundation. Bill Huntley recognized Bill Wilson, Chair of the Killeen Rotary Club International Foundation program for his leadership in and contributions to the District 5870 Foundation Program. Past President Huntley also presented Tim McPherson with a Paul Harris Fellowship and Kathy McPherson with a Paul Harris pin with one star blue sapphire. The following Club members attended the dinner: Tom French, George Moses, Damon Cluck and his wife Regina, Kathy McPherson, Don MacWillie, and Bill Wilson. 

On the following morning the annual District 5870 Conference got off to a grand start when the Killeen Rotary Club was recognized as an outstanding club under the 1998-1999 Presidential Citation program. Later in the program, Past Club President Gene Wentworth, was admitted to the District 5870 Roll of Fame. Charlie Burke, Past President of the Killeen Rotary Club, was recognized in a beautiful Necrology. Later,

Members of the Killeen Rotary Club took a photograph of the white roses and sent it to Rose Burke along with some of the words used to memorialize Charlie. Members from the Killeen Rotary Club in attendance were Kirt Tidwell, Kathy McPherson, Tom French, Jana Krippner, George Moses and Gene Wenthworth. 

Liza Humphries planned for and organized the visit of the Group Study Exchange team from District 3750, Kyonggi Province, Korea to the Central Texas area during the period 11-17 April 1999. Hosts for the team from the Killeen Rotary Club were Rex and Bobbie Weaver and Bonnie and Van Merrill. The Korean G.S.E. team was presented to the local area Rotary clubs at a combined Rotary club meeting (Killeen-Heights, Killeen Evening, Killeen and Copperas Cove) held at the Plaza Hotel on Friday, April 16, 1999.  The following Rotarian and Korean business persons were members of the team: You Hwang (62), Past District Governor of Rotary District 3750; Changwu Kim (31), Anyang Broadcasting Company; Youngho Shin (31) Department of Promotion, Suwon Commercial Council; Mijae Lee (46), Professor English Department, University of Suwon, and Hichang Kim (49), Director, International Tax Department, Korean IRS.  

During the evening of Friday, April 16, the Club sponsored its inaugural auction fund-raising benefit at the Plaza Hotel. The new fundraiser was "faaannn-tastic" due to the efforts of Robert Jones and James Lee. The event provided resources for the club's Adopt-A-School partner, Reeces Creek Elementary School, and two scholarships to Central Texas College. Auction tickets were $20 each. First prize was a new Suzuki Four-Wheeler. Other prizes included a ladies' diamond tennis bracelet, two numbered John Carter prints; dinner for two and one night's stay at the Inn on the Creek in Salado; and a four-person dove hunt at Solana Ranch with steak dinner. A total net of $4,146.32 was raised during the fundraiser for Killeen Rotary club sponsored activities. 

The District 5870 Assembly was held at the Mabee Student Center, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas on Saturday, April 24 1999. DGN Bill Bryce organized the training sessions. Nine members of the Killeen Rotary Club attended the training sessions this year (Bill Wilson, Rex Weaver, Robert Jones, Kathy McPherson, Bert Barrett, Eartha Bason, James Lee, Tom French, and George Moses). Rex Weaver and Bill Wilson made presentations to the Assembly. 

On Saturday, April 22, 1999, Killeenites woke up to the following headlines in its local newspaper "2 KISD grade schools among America's most successful". Those headlines echoed the great news that the U.S. Department of Education had named Cedar Valley Elementary school and Reeces Creek Elementary school, both in the Killeen Independent School District, a 1998-1999 National Blue Ribbon School winners. This recognition goes to some of America's most successful schools and it was the first time any school in Killeen Independent School District had received this type of national recognition. The Killeen Rotary club has supported Reeces Creek Elementary School since 1994 under the Adopt-A-School program and is very proud to have been part of its efforts to gain national recognition. Phillys Hill, principal of Reeces Elementary School, has been a member of the Killeen Rotary Club since May 8, 1996. 

The two recipients of the Killeen Rotary Club's Leadership in Free Enterprise scholarship program, Angela Abilez from Killeen High School and Leah Frisch from Ellison High School, attended the LIFE program during the period June 6-9 at Baylor University. The program is intended to provide local senior high school students an opportunity to learn, plan for, and experience entrepreneurial endeavors. On Wednesday, June 30, 1999, both scholarship recipients spoke to the club and reviewed their four-day experiences. They thanked the club members for providing them the opportunity to attend this unique program, indicated they had a wonderful learning experience, and had met many new friends.    

The 1998-1999 Rotary Club year officially came to an end on Thursday, June 17, 1999 at the installation banquet for the 1999-2000 Club President, Robert Jones, and his Board of Directors. The banquet was held at the Stage Coach Inn in Salado, Texas with Rex Weaver presiding as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. Past District Governor Harry Masey, Jr. and his wife Mary Ann were honored guests at the event. PDG Harry conducted the installation ceremony. Other highlights of the evening were the announcement by Kathy McPherson that the Club had maintained an average attendance rate of 93.61 throughout the year, the presentation of a plaque to Tom French, International Lane Chair, for being selected as the Rotarian of the year, and the presentation of six Paul Harris Fellows medallions with pin to Keith L. and Robert L. Moses, Paula L. Lohse, Kenneth D. Watts, Amy A. Milsap and Priscilla A. Ellis in recognition of their dedication and support of Rotary International's Paul Harris Program. Kirk Tidwell, the 1998-1999 club president, was given a standing ovation and a plaque with gavel in recognition of his outstanding leadership and many significant accomplishments during the past Rotary year.

The first meeting of Rotary year 1999-2000 opened with a bang. Robert Jones, the newly elected president, presided over the meeting. President Robert's first announcement was to inform the membership that the Club's immediate past-president, Kirk Tidwell and his wife, Ann, had doubled the size of their immediate family on July 6, 1999 by bringing into this world two potential future Rotarians, twins Joel and Danny Tidwell. At the same meeting Patsy Derr, District 5870 Governor Nominee for year 2000-2001, presented President Robert Jones and Foundation Chair, Bill Wilson, with two banners signifying the club's success in Foundation giving during Rotary year 1997-1998. That year, the Killeen Rotary Club was second in the District to the Killeen Heights Club ($16,525.00) in total monies contributed to the R. I. Foundation with $14,275.00  first to the Marble Falls Rotary Club ($207.09) in per capita giving with $291.33.  Assistant District Governor, Steve Ernst, presented a program on "Increasing Membership in Your Club". President Robert also announced that the Marble Falls Annual Fish Fry is scheduled for Friday, July 9, 1999 and encouraged all members to attend. 

On July 14 the District 5870 Governor, William "Bill" Bryce, made his official visit to the club. He met with the Robert Jones, President of the Killeen Rotary Club, and members of the Board of Directors to outline the District goals for the new Rotary year and provide his guidance. Steve Ernst, the Assistance District Governor, from the Killeen-Heights club was also in attendance. During the Wednesday noon meeting, Bill Wilson informed Governor Bill that the Club had already collected approximately $10,000 of the planned $15,120 it had pledged to the Rotary International Foundation for the year. The Governor was elated at the great news. 

At the end of July, Chuck Reinhardt, announced that the club had to find an alternate facility for the Board of Directors to meet in and for the club to store its historical files since he is planning to sell the Zip Cleaner's Annex building. The Club had used his facility since 1985. All club administrative records were moved to the Plaza Hotel where a storeroom on the first floor was furnished to the club by the Hotel management. 

In August the Killeen Rotary Foundation chair conducted a Paul Harris sustaining membership drive on behalf of Joel and Danny Tidwell. Winners of the "Tidwell Twin Baby Board" drawing were; Ken Moger (2), Dan Yancey,  Jack Averyt, Raymond Perez, Chuck Reinhardt, Jenny Weaver-Flugham, Doug Schifflit, Gordon Plumlee and Amy. Millsap. 

On Tuesday, September 21, 1999 at the scheduled monthly Board of Directors meeting, Robert Jones, President of the Killeen Rotary Club, announced he was offered and had accepted a job promotion with the First Texas Bank that will require him to move to Belton, Texas and reluctantly submitted his resignation as club president and as a member of the Killeen Rotary Club. After a lengthy discussion and in accordance with club by-laws, Kathy McPherson, Present Elect, was appointed by the Board of Directors to assume the position of President immediately. Her term will run through June 30, 2000.The Board decided not to appoint a President-Elect to take Kathy's place since the normal nominating process to select the 2001-2002 Officers and Board of Directors will begin at the October 1999 Board meeting. 

During the month of October, the Killeen Rotary Club supported Make a Difference Day, sponsored by Killeen Volunteers, Inc. and the Lane Volunteer Center, by collecting sheets, mattress pads, blankets, and towels from its membership for Christian Farms - Treehouse, Inc.  Christian Farms - Treehouse, Inc. is drug and alcohol treatment center that serves the Central Texas area with separate facilities for men and women. 

The Club celebrated Foundation Month on Wednesday, November 3, by inviting PDG Gene Neal to speak to the Club, and to present Paul Harris medallions and Sustaining Membership pins in recognition of the contributions of individual members, and to participate in the Annual Foundation Board Drawing. Also, in attendance at this meeting was District 5870 Governor Elect, Patsy Derr. Co-chair of the Killeen Rotary Club Foundation program, Juliana Mundy, announced that the final Rotary International Foundation statistics for Rotary year 1998-1999 had been received and the Killeen Rotary Club was the number one club in District 5870 for total dollars given to the Foundation and per capita giving. This was certainly a time for celebration. This club has never been recognized for both per capita and total giving in the same Rotary year nor has any Club in District 5870. PDG Gene Neal recognized the following Club members as Paul Harris Fellows: Jack Averyt (2), Kimberly Averyt Swanner, Donald MacWillie (7), Gene Steele, Brenda Thomas, Kirk Thomas, Dan Yancey, and Rex Weaver. Sustaining Members recognized were: Pat McDonald, Doug Schifflett, Mike Dehart, Eartha Bason, and Rick Brown. As a result of The Foundation Board Drawing the following members had a contribution of one hundred dollars forwarded to the Rotary International Foundation in their name: Bill Wilson, Don MacWillie, Bobbie Weaver (2), Gordon Plumlee, Eartha Bason, Dawn Cloud, Kathy McPherson, Art Hull and Butch Menking. 

On Wednesday, December 1, 1999, the Club Nomination Committee presented to the membership the following member names to represent them on the 2000-2001 Killeen Rotary Club Board of Directors. To be President, Kathy McPherson; President Elect, Stan Lohse; Treasurer, Ken Moger; Secretary, Julianna Munday; Sergeant-At-Arms, Doug Shlifflet; Club Service, Kirk Thomas; Vocational Service, Eartha Bason; Community Service, Joel Michaelis; International Service, Charlene Smith; VP, Budget, James Lee; VP, Classification, Allen Cloud; VP, Foundation, Gene Steele; VP, Membership, Dawn Cloud; VP, Programs, Amy Milsap; VP Public Affairs, Dan Craytor; Past President, Kirk Tidwell. During the same meeting Kathy McPherson announced that Rex Weaver, a club member since 1980, had been chosen as the 5870 District Governor, Nominee, Nominee. Robert Jones, immediate Past President, was presented the President's gavel in recognition of his immense contribution and leadership to the Club during the period of his leadership. 

During the evening of Tuesday, December 7, 1999, seven members participated in the annual KNCT-TV (channel 4) Telethon to raise money for the Central Texas Public Broadcasting TV station. Members on the Telethon team were: Joel Michaelis, Kathy McPherson, Juliana Mundy, and Paul Jo, Charlene Smith, Phillip Hill, and Dawn Cloud.  By the end of the evening the team had received over $1,300 in pledges. They did their job well.

The following day the Rancier Middle School Concert Girls Choir directed by Sheila Donahue sang Christmas carols to members at the weekly Rotary Club meeting. Their program was exceptionally good this year and the choir received a standing ovation from all in attendance. There was no doubt the Christmas season was her