History
of
The Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, U.S.A.
Club 2010 District 589
for
Rotary Year 1964-1965

President
Ivan E. Brown

Chartered August 6, 1964

The First Year of serving the local and world communities with a passion for “Service Above Self”

Officers
Vice President
J. A. Newborn, Jr.
Secretary-Treasurer
Joe R. Stutts
Sergeant at Arms
David L. Shaw

Directors
William A. Parker
Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr.
Eddie H. Nettles
Paul K. Swackhamer
Colin Harrison
Richard Allen





Charter Presentation September 29, 1964
(left to right) Ellis R. Bareiss, Past President of Rotary Club of Pasadena; J. A Newborn, Vice President,
Rotary Club of Space Center; Ivan. E. Brown, President Rotary Club of Space Center; Edwin G. Bracher,
District 589 Governor; Michael Pedrick, Past District 589 Governor; Dan Procter, main speaker; Robert
Stephens, President, Rotary Club of La Porte



History

The history for the Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, U.S.A. has been compiled from several previously written histories and chronologies which can be found in the Welcome on the Home Page.   For the most part, the wording of these previously written histories have been used verbatim except for the insertion of additional information found elsewhere, obvious errors, and annotations by Historian 2009 .

Back in 1960 and 1961 the newly formed NASA in Washington appointed a committee to look into finding the right area in which to build a manned space center.  There was a list of about eighteen criteria which the site must meet: i.e., close to a body of water, access to an international airport, a large city, a university, etc.  After months of weighing the various criteria, NASA announced that Houston, Texas, had been selected for the site.

Congressman Albert Thomas learned that NASA was seeking a site for the new center; he steered the NASA people to the Clear Lake area where Humble Oil Company owned a parcel of 20,000 acres.  Humble had purchased the West Ranch in the 1930's in order to develop its oil resources.  Humble gave Rice University 1,200 acres of this land, part of which Rice then gave to NASA.  The site was a piece of prairie land, sparsely inhabited, flat, close to Clear Lake which empties into Galveston Bay and on into the Gulf of Mexico.  Ellington Air Force Base was close to the site.  There were several small towns in the area: Kemah, Seabrook, La Porte, League City and Webster.  Temporary Office space was found in nineteen buildings in Houston for NASA and contractor employees while the Center was being built.  Hurricane Carla had hit the area in October 1961, and there were still many remnants of its devastation.

Suddenly this area of small towns boomed, NASA and contractor employees began to flood into the area with their families.  Housing developments sprouted; restaurants and businesses were established.  Newcomers made friends easily because most of them had no built-in families or friends in the area.  When strangers met they asked each other "Where are you from?"  It was rare for the answer to be, "Texas."

Looking back thirty-six years ago to 1962, it is easy to see why such an institution as a Rotary Club took root.  Men were looking for new friends; some of them had been Rotarians before they moved to the Clear Lake Area.  The excitement generated by a major complex being erected in an undeveloped area which would soon be known around the world spurred the thirty-five men who would become the charter members of Space Center Rotary.

In 1963 Fred Lane, then President of the La Porte Rotary Club, conceived the idea that the territory around Seabrook would possibly support a Rotary Club.  Accordingly, at the suggestion of the District Governor, a preliminary survey was made.  Lane contacted Ellis Bareiss of the Rotary Club of Pasadena to see if he would assist in the organization of such a club.  After a few visits it was Lane’s opinion that Seabrook could not at that time support a Rotary Club.  With the rapid development of the Space Center area it was felt by District Governor Virgil Lee that a survey should be made to determine if a club could be organized in that area.  Ed Bracher and Bill Avery, both past District Governors, made a preliminary investigation and felt that a Rotary Club would prosper there.  However, other that some visits with interested parties, not too much was done until May 1964.

On Monday May 11, 1964, Ed Bracher, past District Governor of District 589, J. A. Newborn, and Ellis Bareiss met for lunch at Mike Kouchoucous’s NASA Grill to discuss organizing at club in the Space Center area.  Ed Bracher had been working with some of the interested parties in the area, but due to matters coming up in connection with the Rotary International Convention at Toronto, Canada, Ed felt he should turn the organizational work over to someone else in order not to delay it any further.  It was agreed, following the meeting to ask Governor Virgil Lee to appoint Ellis Bareiss as his special representative to carry forward organizing a Rotary Club at the Space Center.

On May 15, 1964 an evening meeting was held at the Nassau Bay National Bank with the following present: J. A. Newborn of the Suburban Journal; Ivan Brown, President, Nassau Bay National Bank; Bob Stevens, President - Elect of the Rotary Club of La Porte; Carl Springer of the La Porte Rotary Club; and Ellis Bareiss, Special Representative, and a member of the Rotary Club of Pasadena; and Bob Gardner, South Western Savings & Loan Company.  Prior to the meeting a tour of the area was made with Messrs. Brown, Newborn, and Bareiss.

A tentative survey form was filled out to determine the possible number of classifications in the territory.  It was found that 84 separate classifications were on the list, representing different businesses or professions.

Territorial limits were checked with Dick Proctor, Secretary of the Rotary Club of Houston since the club had jurisdiction over the area in the vicinity of the Space Center.  Subsequently a formal request,  letter from Bareiss to Heinen    Genoa-Red Bluff Road on the North
   The Gulf Freeway on the West
   Clear Creek, Clear Lake and Taylor Lake on the South
   Red Bluff Road on the East

The Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Houston approved the release of the territory and on June 11, 1964, the membership of that club also approved the release.

Ellis Bareiss completed the Rotary International Extension Survey (note: there was a second page 4   of the survey in the history documents with Virgil Lee’s comments and signature dated May 23, 1964) and forwarded it, along with his recommendations, to the District Governor, Virgil Lee in a letter dated May 22, 1964.  His recommendations are a follows: “Having visited this area on several occasions, I am literally overwhelmed with the vast amount of building and new businesses moving into the area.  As you know, predications are that by 1970 there will be 250,000 people living in the immediate area.  It is equivalent to a city the size of Austin, Texas.  New places of businesses are opening just as rapidly as space is available.  It appears from a brief discussion of its possibilities that there will be a least 200 good solid Rotary classifications in the area within the next five years.  Many large companies, professional men, and smaller businesses have signed contract for space just as rapidly as arrangements can be made to accommodate them.  I have reference to such companies as Joskes, Foleys, perhaps Sakowitz, and others.  Also several new churches and schools will be in operation in the area soon.  This looks like an ideal area to start a fine Rotary Club.  The people I have met and talked with will make good Rotarians.  It is my recommendation to proceed as rapidly as possible.”  Governor Lee forwarded the survey papers, together with his recommendations to Rotary International on Saturday, May 23, 1964.

On May 26, 1964, Rotary International notified the Special Representative (Ellis Bareiss) that the survey has been accepted and plans should be made to proceed with further organizational activities.

On June 4, 1964, a meeting was held at Nassau Inn with the following present:
     Ivan E. Brown
    J. A. Newborn
    William Williamson
    Mr. and Mr's. Joe Stutts
    Mr. and Mr's. Bill Parker
    Mr. and Mr's. Ellis Bareiss
Following a very pleasant visit and dinner, the ladies had a social meeting while the others gathered to draw up a list of thirty prospective charter members for the new Rotary Club.  It was agreed, after the lists was drawn up, reviewed, etc., that another meeting should be held just as soon as possible.  This meeting is to be attended by all those whose names were placed on the tentative Charter List.  A meeting was set for 7 PM on Monday, June 8, at which time the Special Representative (Ellis Bareiss) will discuss Rotary with the prospective members, get complete information for the charter list, and transact such other matters as may, and can be handled at this meeting.  Due to other commitments some of the men could not be present.  It was, therefore decided to hold the meeting on Monday, June 15, 1964.

When sufficient interested parties were contacted the men voted to apply for a charter in Rotary International, thus Space Center was added to the list of more than 11,800 communities in 126 countries throughout the free world where Rotary plays a leading part in the progress of the community.  (2009 Historian Notes: Apparently this was June 15, 1964).

Another Rotary Information meeting is to be held (July 9, 1964) just as soon as possible to further indoctrinate the prospective new members.  At this meeting the Special Representative (Ellis Bareiss) plans to have at least one past District Governor and possible some other “seasoned” Rotarians in attendance to inform these new members.

Ellis Bareiss, Special Representative, sent a letter dated July 9, 1964    to Governor Ed Bracher, District 589, transmitting the following:
(1) Application dated June 15, 1964  signed by the President and Secretary
(2) Two copies of the Charter Membership   list signed by the President and
Secretary (the former Rotarians included in the Charter Membership are listed at the end of the Charter Membership listing)
(3) Check for $100.00 made payable to Rotary International
(4) Blank forms for the district governor's recommendation to Rotary International
(5) Special Representative Report

The application for membership in Rotary International noted that the officers for the Provisional Rotary Club of Space Center, Houston Texas were President, Ivan E. Brown; V.P., J. A. Newborn; Secretary, Joe E. Stutts; Treasurer, Joe R. Stutts; and Sergeant at Arms, David L. Shaw.  The Board of Directors was Ivan E. Brown, J. A. Newborn, Jr., William A. Parker, Leroy Gordon Cooper, Jr., Eddie H. Nettles, Paul K. Swackhamer, Joe R. Stutts, and David L. Shaw.

The Charter Members were as follows:
Ahlborn, Donald A.
Allen, Richard
*Armstrong, Wayman
Ball, Jack C.
*Barber, William Gerald
Berry, Charles A.
Blanton, Wick J.
Brown, Ivan E.
* Cooper, Leroy Gordon
Elder, John B.
*Frost, Joseph H. Jr.
*Gracey, Martin
Graham, Bob J.
Harrison, Colin
Kellen, Walter
*Kouchoucos, Mike
Lipovsky, Vince A.
Morgan, Frank G. Jr.
*Nettles, Eddie H.
Newborn, J. A. Jr.
Parker, William A.
Pickett, Walter M.
Runger, Robert G.
Sarahan, Bernard L.
*Shaw, David L.
Smith, Harry P.
Steadman, Beverly E.
Stutts, Joe R.
Swackhamer, Paul K.
Taylor, J. Boyd
Tear, Richard T.
Tompkins, S. S.
Warzecha, Ladislaus W.
Weston, William H.
Whynot, Charles L.
*Former Rotarians
The first two members initiated into the Club were Gene Lindquist and Don Kirk.

Governor Edwin Bracher, District 589 sent the Recommendation of District Governor  to the Rotary International dated July 11, 1964 transmitting the application.  Governor Bracer, stated “Herewith I transmit the following documents, duly completed and signed, comprising the application of the newly formed Provisional Rotary Club of Space Center, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. for membership in Rotary International.”

Governor Bracher’s application was answered by Rotary International, Beth Maveety, Extension Services in a letter dated July 24, 1964   requesting additional information.  Governor Bracher responded in a letter dated July 29, 1964.

Rotary International approved the admission of Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas on August 6, 1964.  The Rotary International Admission Approval Form  noted the following information: Ballot by mail No. 9; population of community, 6,000; survey made and approved, yes; number of charter members, 35; dated club organized, June 15, 1964; by Ellis R. Bareiss; and sponsor club, La Porte, Texas; recommended by District Governor Erwin G. Bracher, District 589; signed by R. I. Secretariat, E. K. Switzer; committee decision, “yes”; an d dated August 6, 1964.

A letter from Beth Maveety , Extension Services, Rotary International dated August 6, 1964 notified Ellis R. Bareiss, “Congratulations to you and your club on your success in extending Rotary to this community.  The application for the provisional club has been received and before long we hope to advise District Governor Bracher of the admission of this club to membership in Rotary International.”

No correspondence was in the history documents of the letter from Rotary International notifying Governor Bracher of the admission.  However, a completed form titled Notice of Admission to Membership in Rotary International of the Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas,  U.S.A. (District 589)    as of August 6, 1964 with the initials of G.R.M. dated August 11, 1964 and another completed form titled The Notice of Admission of Rotary Club   dated August 13, 1964 are apparently the official charter documents.  The charter was not in the history documents nor does Rotary I nternational have a copy of the Charter.

The new club held regular luncheon meetings on Mondays at 12:15 pm at the Kings Inn.  The initiation fee was $20.00 and the annual dues were $25.00.  The Board of Directors met on the third Tuesday of each month.  A club banner was designed by Martin Gracey in 1965 and was approved that same year.  The Board adopted a policy of giving out-of-state visitors a banner, and members of the club could purchase banners for $1.00 each to give to clubs which they visited.

A letter from W. H. Avery to Ellis Bareiss  dated August 7, 1964 provided Ellis a summary of the meetings on July 20 and July 27 and the plans for the meeting on August 3.  There were twenty-nine present on July 20 and thirty-one present on July 27.  The purpose of the letter was “Ellis, I thank you for the opportunity of being able to take your place in this important matter during the time that you were on your vacation.  I enjoyed it a great deal, and I hope that I was able to do some good to the charter members of this fine new club which you have so efficiently brought into being.”

President Ivan Brown and Secretary Joseph Stutts received several letters from Rotary International congratulating both and providing pertinent information regarding the functions of a Rotary club.  These letters are:
    Means, General Secretary, to Brown dated August 6, 1964
    Means, General Secretary, to Stutts dated August 6, 1964
    Neighbors, Service to Clubs, to Brown dated August 25, 1964
    Neighbors, Service to Clubs, to Stutts dated August 25, 1964

In a letter dated August 25, 1964    to Ellis Bareiss, Special Representative, the Rotary Club of Pasadena from Rotary International, Jerry T. Neighbors, Service to Clubs stating “….a special representative’s work continues after charter night…..We will consider it a special flavor, Ellis, if you will let us know occasionally how the Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston) is progressing and what we can do to assist you in your guidance.”

Preparations began for the Charter Presentation soon after the official notification was received from Rotary International.  In a  letter dated August 27, 1964    to Mr. President from Fred Lane, Arrangements Committee, detailed several things that had to be done.  It is not clear who Mr. President was.  Fred Lane noted that Rotary International had indicated a special interest in the new club due to its location and the type of membership which includes Gordon Cooper, one of the original astronauts.  The letter continues with the arrangements noting that each Rotary Club in District 589 would want to participate to the fullest, therefore, each club was asked to contribute $25.00 toward operating items the new club will need, such as: Banner, Flag, Bell, Gavel, Speaker’s Stand, Lapel Buttons, Identification Buttons, etc.  The Charter Presentation will be held at the Houston Yacht Club near La Porte on September 28, 1964.  Banquet tickets will be $4.50 per person, including tax and tip the letter notes.  The Houston Yacht Club can accommodate approximately 275 persons in their new banquet room.  Please have your members send in their requests for tickets NOW, and be sure the requests are accompanied by a check sufficient to cover the number of tickets desired.  WE CANNOT RUN A DEFICIT.  The letter further states, “All details have not been worked out and additional information will be sent to you as these matters are finalized.  We will have an outstanding speaker and an outstanding program, and we know your Club will want to be represented.  ALL Clubs in the district are requested to have representatives present."

According to the Charter Presentation Program,   the presentation was held on September 28, 1964 at 7:00 PM at the Houston Yacht Club Shoreacres, La Porte, Texas.  Ellis R. Bareiss, Governor’s Representative presided.  District Governor Edwin G. Bracher presented the Charter to Ivan E. Brown, President, Rotary Club of Space Center.  The Rotary Club of La Porte was the sponsoring club.  Three photographs and newspaper pictures and articles were in the history documents, which are as follows:
 (1) newspaper article and photograph  of the presentation of the Charter to Ivan E. 
      Brown from Edwin G. Bracher;
 (2) newspaper article and photograph   of  the charter presentation with Ellis R. Bareiss, J. A. Newborn, Ivan Brown,
      Edwin G. Bracher, Michael Pedrick, past District Governor from Houston, and
      main speaker, Dan Proctor of Houston, and Robert Stephens, president of
      La Porte Rotary (view copy of the picture); and
  (3) copy of a photograph  of the banquet

Also included in the history documents were 2 tickets, #148 and #149, to the Charter Presentation.

The process came to a close with a letter dated Oct 1, 1964   from Fred Lane, the Rotary Club of La Porte to Ellis Bareiss which stated “I am enclosing herewith copies of all correspondence pertaining to the Charter Presentation Banquet for Space Center Rotary Club…..Hoping that I may have the pleasure of working with you again for Rotary,….”  Another letter dated December 1, 1964    from Fred Lane to Edwin Bracher, District Governor, District 589 contained a Recap of the monies received and spent for the Charter Presentation.  It was noted in the Recap that 184 tickets were sold.

In a letter dated December 24, 1964    Ellis Bareiss wrote Beth Maveety of Rotary International concerning information about the Club.

The history file contained two documents regarding the Club Constitution and Club By-Laws and Understandings and Agreements.    document  It is not certain whether there were more pages to these documents.

The history documents contained several “how to” documents.  These are as follows:
   (1) Organizing a Rotary Club
   (2) Guiding the New Rotary Club
   (3) Material sent to the Secretary, List 1, List 2, List 3

Also included in the history documents was a copy of the cover of Business Week magazine showing a map of Clear Lake City  and a write-up on the area.   There was also another Extension Survey dated May 15, 1964 in the history documents.

The object of Rotary is the ideal of service.  There are four basic approaches to this ideal.  The committee system is set up into four avenues of service: Club Service within and to the Club; Vocational Service, service within one’s business or profession; Community Service, service to one’s local community; and International Service, service in the development and maintenance of friendly and harmonies international relations.  The committees for the avenues of service and the chairperson for the committees can be viewed on   Committee Members.

The new club held regular luncheon meetings on Mondays at 12:15 at the Kings Inn.  The initiation fee was $20.00 and the annual dues were $25.00.  A club banner was designed by Martin Gracey in 1965 and was approved that same year.  The Board adopted a policy of giving out-of-state visitors a banner, and members of the club could purchase banners for $1.00 each to give to clubs which they visited.

The community service program of the club began almost immediately as the Space Center Rotary Club began work to establish a public library (The Theodore C. Freeman Memorial Library, in honor of the deceased astronaut), in the Clear Lake area.  Citizens of the area along with the Club organized the library and established temporary quarters in the Clear Lake City Recreation Center in January 1965.  Two thousand volumes were donated by residents to help get the library started.  The operation was entirely voluntary, from staffing to funding.  Richard Veth and Richard Allen, members of Space Center Rotary, were elected to the first Board of Trustees of Freeman Memorial Library.  Since that time, numerous Rotarians and Rotary Anns (Rotarians' wives) have served on the Library Board.  Club members also participated in a variety of projects at the library: renovating the building, changing of partitions, constructing shelving, painting and landscaping.  There was also a repainting job on the library by club members.  Minutes of the Club Assembly  dated February 16, 1965 gives an overview of the Club's activities and plans. 

There were no newsletters, Blastoff, found in the history file.  However, a listing of Club Programs and Special Events noted  9 programs. There was no financial information or information about donations except the services mentioned above in the Club Assembly.   There were 2 Board meeting minutes in the 1964-65 history file.  Read the Club's first  Constitution and By Laws.

The July 1, 1965 Semi Annual Report of Club Membership noted a membership of 47.  The closest Club roster for the Rotary year is dated August 1, 1965.

The 56th Rotary International Convention was held May 30-June 3, 1965 in Atlantic City, N.J., USA.  There were 9,368 in attendance and no record of anyone from Rotary of Space Center, Houston attending.  No record could be located regarding the District 589 Conference.

Rotary year 1964-65 was placed in the archives in July 2009.