The history of the start of the Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North thirty-five years ago is one of restlessness and an openness to responding to the needs of its members and community. It signifies how a small group of forward-thinking, passionate individuals can create lasting impact for years to come.
The Mechanicsburg Rotary Club (MRC) was organized in 1938 and met on Friday nights from 6:05 to 7:30. That timing was preferred by its 70 members, enabling them to attend a meeting then adjourn to enjoy Friday night football games. Members were predominantly advanced in age owning shops in downtown Mechanicsburg. All the members were men since it wasn’t until 1987 that Rotary International (RI) was required to allow women to apply for membership due to a Supreme Court ruling.
In June 1990, one of the younger members, Clarence Asbury, proposed a time change to a breakfast meeting. Seventy percent of the MRC liked the idea and the remaining 15 objected. The breakfast idea survived and plans were made to seek a charter for a new club. By October of 1990, the newly chartered Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North (RCMN) reached the Rotary International (RI) requirement of 25 members. The RI charter was received by club leadership on December 28, 1990. Both men and women were its charter members.
Asbury, with the strong support of Vern Anderson, were well known in the community with many strong professional relationships. They recruited members with a “GETTER’ DONE” attitude.
Charter members who are currently active include:
- Clarence Asbury – Certified Public Accountant and Accounting Business owner
- Betty Dick – Real estate rental agent
- Ed Fetrow – Insurance agency owner
- Keith Sealover – Residential real estate
- Joyce Sealover – Residential real estate
- Ron Stern – Building construction
The first Rotary Club of Mechanicsburg-North breakfast meeting was held on June 8, 1990.
Pictured are Susan and Clarence Asbury. Susan was the 1st female President of RCMN and Clarence was a leader in founding us!
Restlessness has been ingrained for 35 years of service locally and globally
During its formative years, the RCMN met at various locations including the Holiday Inn on the Carlisle Pike which changed ownership to the Park Inn, the Elks Club and the Holiday inn Express. The club also conducted an additional weekly evening meeting 2017-2025 with multiple locales in the region. The club currently has a weekly breakfast meeting held at Bethany Village Retirement Community in Mechanicsburg.
Clarence states, “From the Club’s beginning, asking any member to volunteer has never met with a NO. As a result, RCMN members get things done.”
Since its inception, RCMN service projects have had considerable impact locally and globally. Here are some highlights!
- Environmental
- Creation of the Conodoguinet Youth Park with an annual free fishing derby for youth and families.
- Tree plantings and support of Hampden Township Veterans Park
- Adopt a Highway Program
- Philanthropy
- Donations to The Rotary Foundation with frequent District 7390 Club Awards for Annual Giving and per capita contributions
- Financial Support of Shelterbox USA
- Annual Grant Awards to local nonprofits through the RCMN Philanthropy Committee
- Service and financial support of New Hope Ministries Food Bank in Mechanicsburg, Bethesda Mission in Harrisburg, and Simpson Library. Mechanicsburg
- Annual participation in the District 7390 Club Grant program
- Annual Adopt a Family Christmas Program
- Youth
- Sponsorship of the East Pennsboro High School Interact Club
- Sponsorship of the Central Penn College Rotaract Club
- College Scholarship awards through the Student of the Month/Year Program for High School Students from Cumberland Valley High School, East Pennsboro High School, and Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center
- Four Way Essay and Speech Contest sponsorship for High School Students
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) student sponsorships
- Rotary International Youth exchanges for 30 consecutive years
- Medical
- Participation in District 7390 Global Grants with members serving on medical teams in Africa.
- Sponsorship of STOP THE BLEED© programs providing tourniquets to local state police, and bleeding kits to high schools
That restlessness legacy continues today fostering the Rotary mission of Service Above Self
As Mechanicsburg-North Rotary enters its 35th year epitomizing Service Above Self, members continue to press onward sustaining the legacy that created a solid foundation for the club’s passionate leadership and service.
As Club President Brian Fields leads the club during this milestone year, his core mission is to raise Club funding to a new level of support and high-impact service in the greater Mechanicsburg region.
