It was a day of great celebration and remembrance, as the Rotary Club of Katy gathered on March 19 to commemorate its 80th anniversary. The festivities took place at the Club at Falcon Point, 24503 Falcon Point Drive, Katy.

The club was founded in 1946 amid post-World War II tensions and reconstruction. It is the fifth or sixth oldest Rotary Club in the greater Houston area, club president Rodolfo Lobera told the Katy Times. The original charter document establishing the club has been preserved by local businessman and former City of Katy mayor Skip Conner and was on display at the meeting.

After ringing the bell to open the meeting, Lobera introduced several past presidents of the club, calling its leadership “its greatest asset.” The Rotary Club of Katy has had 77 presidents in its history, Lobera said. Club presidents have included former Katy mayors Skip Conner and Hank Schmidt, both of whom were present for the celebration.

The Rotary Club of Katy – formerly an all-male institution – admitted its first woman member in 1989, when local businesswoman Rebecca Blackmon joined the organization, subsequently becoming its president a few years later. Blackmon spoke briefly at the meeting about that experience and what Rotary had meant to her over the years.

City of Kay Mayor Dusty Thiele – also a Rotarian – presented a proclamation from the city, honoring the club on its special day.

Members also viewed a commemorative video with photos from the club’s past before the cutting of the special “birthday cake.”

Rotary’s motto is “Service above self.” Since its founding, the club has raised millions of dollars for local community causes, starting with its first event – a pancake supper which raised $3,000 – and adding more events over the years. For more than 30 years, the club has managed the Katy Triathlon, one of the oldest triathlons in the greater Houston area. Rotary Club of Katy also runs Wild West Brewfest, a festival of craft beers, each year. Most recently, the club has partnered with the City of Katy on the Katy Rice Harvest Festival. Each event 100% volunteer-led with all net proceeds going directly back into the Katy community through scholarships, nonprofits, and charitable causes.

For more information on Rotary Club of Katy, go to https://www.katyrotary.com.