The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

FIRST:  The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

SECOND:  High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

THIRD:  The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

FOURTH:  The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the idea of service.

 

During the first half of the 1984-1985 Rotary year of District Governor Tom Clayton and his District Extension Chairman, Arie Groenveld, proposed the formation of a morning Rotary Club in Modesto.  After careful thought, and consultation with other Rotary Clubs in Modesto, a group was asked to help in locating potential Rotary candidates.

Soon after the 1985 new year, the first meeting was held at the Holiday Inn at 1612 Sisk Road attended by approximately eighteen prospective Rotarians, chaired by Rex Burris, acting as the Governor’s Representative from the sponsoring Modesto Gateway Rotary Club.  As the weeks passed, the development committee contacted additional men who indicated their interest in the newly created provisional club.

Finally, the Modesto Sunrise Rotary Club was officially chartered on March 27, 1985, with the following thirty-five charter members:

 Scott Alboth, Restaurants – Sandwich                              Gary Boudreaux, Department Stores

Carl Boyett, Petroleum Products – Distributing               Richard Cody, Tire Sales – Fleet

Robert Driver, Nurseries – Tree Growing                         Gary McGown, Pharmacies

John Fleming, Engineering – food Technology                 John Hertle, Dairy Farming

Gregg Giahos, Building Management Service                  Leroy Klein, Banking – Commercial

Ed Kimbrough, Electric Contracting Service                   Paul McManus, Almond Growing

David Lake, Accounting Service – Tax Mgmt.                 Pat Minnix, Wine Manufacturing

Jerry Larson, Concrete Ready Mix Mfg.                           Nick Pallios, Groceries – Retail

James Lippert, Municipal Government Admin.                Frank Pellegrino, Insurance – Life

Michael Mensinger, Building Materials – Retail                Howard Priest, CPA

Jay Miller, Law Practice – Civil Litigation                       Ray Putler, Dentistry

Gerold Peterson, Real Estate Agency–City Prop.            Tom Robinson, Radio Broadcasting

Kenneth Smith, Public Utilities – Gas                              Mel Richars, Diversified Farming

William Strickland, Wire Rope Distributing                      WilliamWaddle,Securities Brokerage

Carl Tognolini, Communications Equipment                   Hy Youngheim, Shoes – Retail

Roger Tickel, Agricultural Design Service                        Marc Wickliffee, Advertising Novelties - Retail

James von Dohlen, Architectural Design Service             Matthew Wallace, Chocolate Manufacturing

David Walker, Law Practice – Personal Injury

 

At the official Charter Night on April 11, 1983, the Modesto Sunrise Rotary Club was presented with the official documents and charged by the District Governor, Tom Clayton, to share the benefits of Rotary with others everywhere.