The Thayer Rotary Club was formed in 1945. The next year, 1946, Mammoth Spring men were invited to join, and the club name was changed to the Thayer-Mammoth Spring Rotary Club. Our club is one of the few in the State of Missouri to have members from two states.
Oswald Franz, a charter member, was elected president of the original club in 1945, and, again, in 1946. He was elected District Governor two times.
Over the years, many prominent business men and women have held the local President's office. Thayer-Mammoth Spring Rotary Club has met weekly at noon on Friday since its beginning. During these noon meetings, all members have enjoyed fellowship, good lunches, and, always, an interesting program.
Over the years, Thayer-Mammoth Spring Rotary has sponsored or participated in most of the community activities such as Christmas parades, awarding scholarships, ballgames, hosting exchange students and adult groups, and supporting local school projects. The club's main fund-raising project is the Rotary Radio Auction held annually and broadcast on the local radio station. This auction is on the radio each evening for one week in the Spring. The proceeds of the auction sponsors all of the next year's projects.
Women were admitted as members in 1989. Norma Pace and Karen Perkins were the first women to become members in the local club. Since then, women have continued to join Rotary, and have served in various leadership positions
