By Robin Derryberry, president-nominee of the Rotary Club of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA
The other day, I was driving through downtown Chattanooga when I saw our beautiful historical marker dedicated to the history of the Chattanooga Rotary Club. It was unveiled last Spring in a ceremony attended by Rotary members and city dignitaries, spearheaded by our club’s public relations committee and the Tennessee Historical Commission.
Historical markers are a rarity in Tennessee and undergo a stringent approval process. When I see the marker, it reminds me of the decades of service our members have provided and the real staying power of Rotary.
I am a tenth-generation Tennessean, my family hailing from the hills of Appalachia. My great-grandfather’s cabin still stands there and I take a lot of pride in my heritage. I am also a fifth-generation Chattanoogan.
I joined the Rotary club here in 2001, after leaving a staff position in the U.S. House of Representatives to enter the private sector. I knew Rotary because of the notable members I had met but had never previously had the time to attend. I was fortunate that one of the first people who learned I was starting a company invited me to attend a club meeting. As I looked around the room through the lens of a new small business owner, I realized these were the people who made things happen. I had, and still have, a huge amount of respect for our members. And these are still the leaders making things happen in Chattanooga.
Like most clubs, we have had our ups and downs in membership. We have a very strong membership committee and are constantly looking for members who are at a point in their careers where they are leading organizations and are active in various community roles. One thing that sets us apart is that we seek leaders who are established in their careers, have business savvy, and are committed to service.
Our club was chartered in 1914, however, it wasn’t until the 1990 when the first woman was invited to join. I was the 11th woman admitted to membership. Since that time, our club has had good success at attracting women. Our club doesn’t have a special place for female or male members; we’re a club of leaders. And today, more than a third of them are women.
It’s no secret women are multi-taskers who look for multiple ways to make an impact. Sometimes it takes time for this to happen. I always encourage our new members to get to know their fellow members and become active committee members. Building relationships takes time, but the return on investment pays off in ways you can’t imagine.
We also actively support the Rotaract and Interact clubs in Chattanooga to build a robust pipeline of future members. And we are invested in our community. Younger members in particular are attracted by service opportunities. In the past decade, we have provided more than $500,000 in grant funds, money that has not only enriched the local community, but communities around the world.
As the average age of our members drops, we have kept an eye on how we engage young members. Today’s members not only want to hear about the topics of the day but are also engaged in creating them. From updating accounting practices to sharing information in weekly e-blasts and notifications, we strive to reach members in ways that are equally efficient and effective. As change occurs, we remain steadfastly committed to The Four-Way Test and apply it in ways that are relevant to today’s members.
As I drive by the historical marker, I am reminded of all these things. At the dedication, member and past RI President John Germ noted, “This marker notes the significant role that the Rotary Club of Chattanooga has played in the history of one of the New South’s best-known cities. We’ve seen plenty of changes over the years; however, the one thing that guides us today is the same thing that has guided efforts for Rotary clubs around the world since our beginning: Service Above Self.
As our club looks to the future, we do so carefully and thoughtfully. With five generations of members who range in age from their late 30s to 99, our club leaders focus on providing programming and activities that are attractive across a broad spectrum. We focus on lessons learned from the past and apply them to the present and future.
If you are in Chattanooga, come check us out. And be sure to go past our wonderful historical marker on your way.
https://blog.rotary.org/2026/05/07/historical-marker-reflects-decades-of-rotary-service-in-chattanooga/