The first Rotary club in the world was organized in Chicago, IL on February 23, 1905, by Paul P. Harris. He was a young lawyer who gathered together, in a spirit of friendship and understanding, a group of men, each of whom was engaged in a different form of service to the public. At first, they met in rotation at various places of business of the members and this suggested the name "Rotary."

The Rotary Club of Green Bay began in 1917, where a group of local businessmen had made a practice of eating lunch in the back room of Barth's Saloon on Washington Street. A member of this group, attorney James H. McGillan, visited a meeting of the Chicago Rotary Club No. 1, and returned to Green Bay with glowing accounts of Rotary, its goals and purposes. After he had related his experience to the others at Barth's, it was unanimously agreed that there should be a Rotary Club in Green Bay. On March 1, 1917, this group of thirteen men founded the Rotary Club of Green Bay.

The Club grew to 87 members in 1926, before the depression of the early 30's hit the area. During this time, 30 members resigned and club membership remained in the 40's for several years. After that, membership began to pick up and there has been steady growth ever since. In 1974, the Green Bay Club sponsored the development and organization of the Rotary Club in Ashwaubenon known as the Green Bay West Club.

In 1960, the Rotary Club of Green Bay established a charitable foundation under the direction of Karl M. Feldhausen, a past president of our club. There is a separate Board of Trustees appointed to direct and administer the assets of this important Foundation. The Board approves worthy projects in our community to receive monetary gifts from the Club membership.

The Club established the "Free Enterprise Award" in 1983 to recognize outstanding leadership by individuals in our community who have exemplified the highest ethical standards in business and the application of the ideal of service to the community.

The Rotary Club of Green Bay has survived and flourished since 1917 because of the efforts and commitment of its members and pledges to continue to be of service to the Green Bay community for years to come.