A group of 16 men with Harry Michael as chairman held an organizational meeting for a Brainerd Rotary club on May 9, 1921. They were assisted in their planning by some Minneapolis Rotarians, sponsors of the new group here.

The Charter Night Dinner was held a short time later with the charter officially dated as of May 1, 1921, designating the Brainerd organization. Rotary Club 945.

At the time of organization here, the name was International Association of Rotary Clubs; later changed to Rotary, International. The Brainerd club's charter was lost in a fire about 1928.

First officers of the club were: Michael, president; R. A. Beise, vice president; W. F. Wieland, secretary; A. J. Hayes, treasurer; and Karl Hoorn, director.

Following Michael as club president were Wieland, Beise and W. H. Gemmell through 1925. A total of 50 men have served in the intervening years with Hanspeter Borgsworth serving this year.

Early in club affairs, a Paul Bunyan Axeman program was set up which awarded those attending summer meetings only as well as the year-round members. An active Rotary Anns organization was also established.

Active in the club's affairs was Carl Zapffe, who authored a book on the Rotary club, and who served as District Governor and in other posts. Zapffe's history of the Brainerd club covered the years from the time the group received its charter in 1921 through the year, 1945.

Founded in 1905, the Rotary club is an organization to promote the welfare of a community and to instill friendliness among business competitors. The clubs give large contributions to charity, provide fellowship for advanced study abroad and student loans.

The local club has been active in assisting Scouting programs, sponsoring a children's Christmas party and helping with Salvation Army bell-ringing; holding a "Service Above Self" award for outstanding community service and other programs.