Club History
Our Story
Since 1913, the Rotary Club of Joliet has brought together business, professional, and community leaders dedicated to creating positive change through service, fellowship, leadership, and ethical decision-making. As Rotary Club #78, we are one of the oldest Rotary clubs in the world and have spent more than a century strengthening our community while advancing Rotary's mission of Service Above Self.
Rotary Club of Joliet Timeline
1910 - The Beginning. A group of Joliet business leaders formed the Study Club to promote business development, efficiency, and character building. Members rotated meeting leadership, inspiring the name "Rotary Club."
1913 - Rotary Club of Joliet Chartered. After successfully hosting the Joliet Business Show and Efficiency Congress, the club was admitted to Rotary International and became Rotary Club #78 on July 1, 1913. Joliet became the first Rotary club admitted from a city of its size after Rotary International amended its membership requirements.
1920 - Supporting the City of Champions. The club funded uniforms, instruments, and travel for the nationally acclaimed Joliet Township High School Band, helping earn Joliet the nickname "City of Champions." John Philip Sousa called the band "the best band in the land."
1923 - Women of Rotary Founded. The Women of Rotary was established and spent the next 100 years supporting scholarships, community projects, and charitable causes throughout Joliet.
1933 - Helping Joliet Through the Great Depression. Joliet Rotarians helped create the Joliet Clearing Association, which issued local currency to sustain businesses, teachers, police officers, firefighters, and city services during the economic crisis.
1984 - Annual Cash Raffle Begins. The Rotary Club of Joliet launched its Annual Cash Raffle, which has since generated more than $1 million to support local charities, scholarships, youth programs, and community projects.
1987 - Women Join the Club. The first women became members of the Rotary Club of Joliet, opening a n
ew era of leadership and service.
1997 - First Woman President. Deb Condotti became the first female president of the Rotary Club of Joliet.
2012 - Malawi Initiative Begins. Rotarians launched a transformational international partnership in Malawi, Africa, focused on clean water, education, healthcare, and sustainable community development.
2013 - Celebrating 100 Years. The club celebrated its Centennial Anniversary with special events, historical exhibits, and additional clean water projects in Malawi.
2023 - 110 Years of Service. The Rotary Club of Joliet celebrated 110 years of service, leadership, and community impact while looking ahead to the next century of Rotary service.
2026 - Creating Lasting Impact. More than 113 years after its founding, the Rotary Club of Joliet continues to improve lives locally and globally through community service, youth programs, scholarships, humanitarian initiatives, and international partnerships.
A Proud Beginning
The Rotary Club of Joliet originated from the Joliet Study Club, formed in 1910 to foster professional development and civic engagement. Members met regularly to exchange ideas and improve business practices.
In June 1913, the club organized the highly successful Joliet Business Show and Efficiency Congress, attracting thousands of visitors and gaining the attention of Rotary leaders from Chicago. The event helped convince Rotary International to amend its membership rules and grant Joliet a charter. On July 1, 1913, the Rotary Club of Joliet officially became a member of Rotary International.
Supporting the "City of Champions"
One of the club's earliest community investments was support for the Joliet Township High School Band. Rotary members funded uniforms, instruments, and travel opportunities that helped the band achieve national recognition.
The band's success brought pride to the community and helped earn Joliet the nickname "City of Champions." National band leader John Philip Sousa praised the organization as "the best band in the land."
Rotary During the Great Depression
When the Great Depression created financial hardship throughout the country, Joliet Rotarians stepped forward with an innovative solution.
The Joliet Clearing Association created a local currency system that helped businesses remain open, public employees receive compensation, emergency services continue operating, and food remain available to residents during challenging economic times. Profits from the program were ultimately distributed to local charities.
Women of Rotary
In 1923, community leaders established the Women of Rotary, becoming the first and only independent women's organization modeled after Rotary principles.
Over the next century, the organization awarded scholarships, supported charitable initiatives, and contributed significantly to the quality of life in Joliet. During World War II, the group received formal recognition from the USO for its home-front service efforts. The organization celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023.
Growing Rotary Across the Region
The Rotary Club of Joliet helped establish numerous clubs throughout northern Illinois, including Ottawa, Morris, Kankakee, Wilmington, and Lockport. Today, more than thirty Rotary clubs trace their origins to Joliet through what has become known as the club's Rotary Tree of Life.
Investing in Our Community
For more than a century, the Rotary Club of Joliet has invested in programs that improve lives throughout the region.
Current and historic initiatives include:
-
Scholarships for local students
-
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
-
Literacy and education programs
-
Special Needs Day
-
Food insecurity initiatives
-
Healthcare access programs
-
Community service projects
-
Support for local nonprofit organizations
Rotarians continue to partner with schools, community organizations, businesses, and fellow service clubs to address emerging community needs.
The Annual Cash Raffle
Since 1984, the Annual Cash Raffle has been one of the club's signature fundraising initiatives.
The raffle has generated more than $1 million to support organizations and projects throughout the Joliet area, including the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet, Daybreak Center, Easterseals, Lightways Hospice, Guardian Angel Community Services, the Salvation Army, Warren-Sharpe Community Center, and many others. Raffle proceeds also provide scholarships for local students.
Making a Global Impact in Malawi
While Rotary's roots are local, its impact is global.
Beginning in 2012, the Rotary Club of Joliet partnered with Rotary clubs and community leaders in Malawi, Africa to improve access to clean water and education. What started as a clean water initiative evolved into a comprehensive effort supporting schools, healthcare services, and community development throughout rural villages.
Funded through donations, local fundraising efforts, Rotary Foundation grants, and partnerships with fellow Rotary clubs, these projects continue to improve quality of life for thousands of residents.
Celebrating More Than a Century of Service
In 2013, the Rotary Club of Joliet celebrated its Centennial Anniversary and honored generations of Rotarians who helped shape the community through service, leadership, and philanthropy. The club marked the occasion with special events, a historical exhibit at the Joliet Area Historical Museum, and additional clean water projects in Malawi.
In 2023, members gathered once again to celebrate the club's 110th Anniversary, recognizing more than a century of impact while looking to the future of Rotary service.
Rotary Today
Today, the Rotary Club of Joliet remains committed to creating positive change through service, fellowship, and leadership.
Members support local initiatives including youth development programs, scholarships, food insecurity efforts, Special Needs Day, healthcare access projects, the Boys & Girls Club Pool Project, and international humanitarian initiatives. As Rotary International embraces the theme "Create Lasting Impact," the Rotary Club of Joliet continues its proud tradition of addressing challenges both near and far.
Join Our Story
For more than 113 years, the Rotary Club of Joliet has brought together people who want to make a difference.
We invite you to become part of our next chapter through service, leadership, fellowship, and community impact. Join the Rotary Club of Joliet.
Connect • Serve • Lead