Our Legacy of Service: The History of the Rotary Club of Milledgeville

The Rotary Club of Milledgeville was chartered on November 12, 1937, under the leadership of Porter Carswell, PDG and PD of Rotary International. Porter, a passionate advocate for Rotary in Georgia, worked with charter member A.C. McKinley to select the club’s twenty-nine founding members. The club was established during a time of global growth for Rotary, with more than 4,300 clubs worldwide.

The club quickly became active beyond Milledgeville, hosting the three-day Rotary District Conference for the entire state in 1938. In 1944, member Guy Wells served as District Governor, continuing a tradition of strong leadership that would shape the club’s future.

Under the leadership of Walter B. Williams, Jr., the Milledgeville Rotary Club sponsored the formation of the Rotary Club of Sandersville. The club’s dedication to expanding Rotary’s presence would continue for decades.

To celebrate Rotary International’s 50th anniversary, Porter Carswell and DG T.T. Molner returned to re-present the club’s charter. This reaffirmed Milledgeville Rotary’s commitment to service and leadership.

• The club expanded to 82 members in 1967 and 98 by 1977.
• Sponsored Boy Scout troops and helped construct Milledgeville’s first Boy Scout meeting hall.
• Established a revolving loan fund to assist students in the LPN training program at Baldwin County Hospital.

The club celebrated 40 years of service, with founding figure Porter Carswell returning as the principal speaker.

• R. Linton Cox, Jr. served as District Governor.
• Sponsored three Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars.
• Assisted in hosting a Group Study Exchange Team from Australia.

Under President Brad Oliver, the club marked its 50th anniversary with an event mirroring its original charter meeting. Special guests included Rotary International President Charles C. Keller and the club’s sole surviving charter member, Tom Hall Smith.

The club funded and constructed a walking track at Walter B. Williams, Jr. Recreational Complex, a project valued at over $5,000.

The first Rotary Peace Monument in the U.S. was installed at the Baldwin County Courthouse, with an annual Peace Day celebration held each February.

• The Rotary Auction became an annual fundraiser, raising over $150,000 for local charities.
• Contributed $18,000 to furnish and equip an emergency suite at Oconee Regional Hospital.
• Established Jill’s Books, a literacy project providing books to all 2nd graders in Baldwin County in memory of Jill Stewart.

Karen Brooks became the club’s first female president in the 2007-2008 Rotary year, paving the way for future women in leadership.

To enhance Rotary’s local presence, the club participated in Milledgeville’s Sweetwater Festival Barbecue Cook-Off, an annual tradition that continues today.

The club earned multiple awards at the 2008 Rotary District 6920 Conference, including:
🏆 Best Web Page – 1st Place
🏆 Best Online Bulletin – 1st Place
🏆 Presidential Citation
🏆 Runner-Up: Community Service Award, Best Club Bulletin, Best Club Scrapbook

With a commitment to service and community impact, the Rotary Club of Milledgeville continues to uphold the vision of Paul Harris, adapting to the evolving needs of our members. While our numbers have changed, we now offer three types of membership, providing greater flexibility and opportunities for individuals to engage in Rotary in a way that best fits their lifestyle.

From mentoring youth and funding scholarships to global humanitarian efforts, the Rotary Club of Milledgeville remains committed to making a difference. Today, the club continues to expand its impact, driven by the belief that service above self is the key to building a stronger community and a better world.