A Brief History of the Rotary Club of Mason City

The Rotary Club of Mason City proudly celebrates 110 years of service, fellowship, and community leadership.

The club was unofficially organized on May 5, 1916, and officially chartered by the International Association of Rotary Clubs, now Rotary International, on July 16, 1916. Its formation was the result of the persistence and vision of Mason City attorney Hugh Shepherd, who believed the growing community was ready for a Rotary club despite initial concerns that the city was too small.

After extensive correspondence with Rotary leadership, Shepherd worked closely with John O. Knutson, District Governor of Rotary's 10th District, and leaders from neighboring clubs. On May 5, 1916, twenty-two business and professional men gathered at the historic Cerro Gordo Hotel to organize what would become one of North Iowa's longest-serving civic organizations.

As Mason City grew, so did Rotary's impact. Meeting locations evolved over the years, from the Cerro Gordo Hotel to the Soda Grill, the Chamber of Commerce, the Globe-Gazette Building, the Hanford Hotel, and eventually the Sheraton Motor Inn, now the Historic Park Inn Hotel.

Since its inception, the Rotary Club of Mason City has embraced Rotary's guiding principle of "Service Above Self." Early club efforts focused heavily on youth development, mentoring pre-delinquent boys, and supporting the Boy Scouts. Throughout the decades, members expanded their service through educational initiatives, vocational guidance programs, scholarships, community fundraising efforts, and international humanitarian projects.

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Among the club's many accomplishments:

• Established vocational guidance programs for local students and schools.
• Supported youth education through scholarships and mentoring.
• Raised funds for organizations serving children and individuals with disabilities.
• Contributed to YMCA capital campaigns and transportation projects.
• Planted more than 1,000 trees throughout the community.
• Raised significant funds for Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign to eradicate polio worldwide.
• Supported local organizations including Central Gardens and numerous community improvement projects.
• Continued a long tradition of fundraising through auctions, raffles, and special events benefiting North Iowa.

The club has also produced distinguished Rotary leaders, including several District Governors who helped guide Rotary throughout the region.

At the heart of Rotary remains the Four-Way Test, a simple yet powerful ethical guide adopted by Rotarians around the world:

1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to All Concerned?
3. Will it Build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
4. Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?

For more than a century, these principles have guided Mason City Rotarians in their commitment to service, integrity, and leadership.

As the Rotary Club of Mason City celebrates 110 years of service, we honor the vision of those original twenty-two members and the generations of Rotarians who followed. Their dedication has strengthened our community, enriched countless lives, and demonstrated the enduring power of service above self.

We look forward to continuing that legacy for many years to come.