Kezier Rotary’s History

The Keizer Rotary Club was granted its charter on April 28, 1965 . At the charter presentation dinner on June 21, 1965 at the Marion Motor Hotel, 26 charter members were inducted and 9 others initiated. Salem Rotary Club sponsored the new Keizer club.

Gifts were received at the first meeting from 20 clubs located in Portland and the Willamette Valley and included a flag, speakers stand, Rotary Wheel, badges, banners, and cash. The initiation fee was $15, and dues were $25. Regular luncheon meetings were first held on Thursdays at Gary’s Steak House.

Membership for women was first approved by Rotary International in 1988. Keizer Rotary inducted its first women in February, 1988. They were Scotta Callister, Glenda Melton-Franz, Patty Herrmann, and Susan Girouard.

Today, Keizer Rotary is one of the chief outreach organizations of Salem-Keizer. Providing volunteer labor and support to organizations all over the city, as well as allowing students a way to travel all over the world for education.