History

The Preston Center Rotary Club (PCRC) was founded in the tradition of all Rotary Clubs: by finding the best qualified members possible in an area that would support a Rotary Club. In the fall of 1985 three men met to discuss the formation of a Rotary Club in Preston Center. It was their conclusion that there were enough potential members to form a club.

Since none of these men were Rotarians at the time, they approached C.C. Collie, the then District Governor, who referred them to Harry Sebel, the District Extension Chair. Harry was able to successfully negotiate the sharing of territory with our sponsoring Rotary Club, Park Cities. It was Harry who directed the Club's indoctrination so that the founding members were given a solid Rotarian foundation.

The three founders were Bruce Billings, Steve Loseff and John Knoerzer who became Charter President, Sergeant-at-Arms and Treasurer respectively. There were 25 other members when the charter for the Preston Center Rotary Club was approved by Rotary International on December 31, 1985. At the Charter Banquet held on March 4, 1986, Cliff Rogers, a noted Rotarian speaker, gave a stirring presentation on what it means to be a Rotarian. The first official meeting was held on January 8, 1986 and the speaker was Henry S. Miller Jr., a Rotarian from the Big D club.

The original officers were President, Bruce Billings; President-Elect, Peter Stewart; Vice-President, Doug Bruton; Secretary, Bob Ikel; and Treasurer, John Knoerzer. Other members of the board of directors included: Club Service, Bob Roberts; Community Service, Jon Gaulding; Vocational Service, Dick Giesecke; International Service, Lewis Brereton; Sergeant-at-Arms, Steve Loseff; and Membership, George Lewis.