Rotary Club of Beverly Hills Turns 100
As the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills approaches it’s 100th Anniversary, we reflect on a century of meaningful impact and dedicated service.
By Jessica Varone
Photos courtesy of Beverly Hills Rotarians
As the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills approaches the beginning of its centennial year this December 2023, it stands as a symbol of unwavering service and leadership in the heart of Beverly Hills. Since it was established in 1924, the club has been a cornerstone of the community, meeting every Monday at noon at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. This milestone is much more than a commitment to longevity; it's a commemoration of a century's worth of humanitarian efforts, influential leadership, and the cultivation of a legacy that has thrived under countless dedicated Rotarians. Here, past presidents of the club recount their proudest moments, their most challenging situations, and the unforgettable memories that define the spirit of Rotary.
Historical Legacy and Continous Impact
From its inception, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills has stood as a beacon of hope and an engine for change. Established as a space where the city's leaders — innovators in business, law, government, and non-profit sectors — could combine forces, the club has grown into an influential societal pillar. Its diverse membership, now numbering more than 160, continues to shape the future of our city, embodying the Rotary's motto of 'Service Above Self.'
This commitment is evident in the club's ambitious initiatives over the decades, addressing various global challenges, including disease, hunger, poverty, and illiteracy. Its efforts align with Rotary International's mission, as they share expertise, time, and funds to significantly impact lives, leveraging their unique position within one of the world's most renowned cities.
Rotary Club of Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Committee, September 12, 2011. Brad Burlingame, pictured left next to Mitch Dawson at the center, holds a special place of honor. He is the brother of Charles 'Chuck' Burlingame, the pilot of Flight 77 during the events of September 11, 2001.
Evolving With The Community
Following a 1987 Supreme Court decision, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills became able to embrace the inclusion of women, a progressive stride reflecting the evolving ethos of the community. Koula Fuller, the club's first female member — and president in 2000–01— recalled the resistance to her membership as a woman and the subsequent shift inclub culture. "My most unforgettable memory was learning years after being accepted as a member that Winston Millet, my Rotary Sponsor, resigned his membership from the club when the Board would not approve my nomination for membership." Her eventual acceptance marked a significant change towards inclusivity. Rosalinda O'Neill became the club’s first female president in 1995-96, leading with distinction and ushering in a new era. To date, there have been nine women presidents.
"It’s normal now for a woman to be president of the Rotary Club in the great City of Beverly Hills." O'Neill recounts. Alissa Roston, president in 2015–16 adds, "We shattered the 'old boys' club' perception, welcoming dynamic women and propelling the club into a new era of diversity and vibrancy." As the years passed, the Rotary Club's transformation paralleled the evolving social fabric of Beverly Hills. "Our response to the demographic shift was proactive, establishing the Young Professional Club, ensuring our continuity with younger generations," Michael Lushing notes, president in 2019–20.
Local Impact
Since 1924, the club has been a bedrock of service, enriching the Los Angeles community with enduring initiatives. In 2013, the club sponsored the restoration of the iconic Beverly Hills sign by the Lily Pond in Beverly Gardens Park, preserving a historic treasure. Robert "Robbie" Anderson, the 2007-08 president of the club, played a key role in supporting the project. The following year, it funded the Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial Garden, a tribute to resilience and memory.
In 2018, the club helped propel the launch of the "Music Mends Minds" Treble Makers local band, providing therapeutic music sessions for those with neurodegenerative conditions. “We wanted to bring together not only those who are challenged with cognitive issues but also others who want to enrich their lives with music and just have fun,” said Myra Lurie, 2017-18 president of the club, which co-sponsored the local band.
The club's broad outreach has included pandemic relief, safety education, and community health programs, collaborating with organizations like TreePeople and Special Olympics. In2022, the Stanley Black President’s Philanthropy & Inspiration Award was introduced to honor remarkable service by club members, continuing the legacy of impactful philanthropy.
Most recently in July 2023, Rotarian Michael Moline and Beverly High School senior Colby Gilardian launched the "Mostly Banter" podcast to aid fellow Rotarian Patricia Young with her medical expenses, featuring engaging conversations with local personalities that highlight the unique community spirit and history of Beverly Hills.
Global Humanitarian Impact
The club’s impact is not bound by geography; its commitment is as global as it is local. The Clean Water Project and Matching Grant in the Dominican Republic was a majorly impactful humanitarian effort. “We partnered with clubs from Houston and Boca Raton, along with several from the DR. We visited there during the project’s implementation,” said Brad Robinson, president in 2006–07.
Susan Berk, president in 2013–14, reflects on a moment of deep human impact. "We went on the district trip to Puerto Rico where we funded a new well for a village that had no access toclean water. The hugs and tears we all received from the villagers will forever stay in my mind."
Lurie remembers: "I was sitting in a hospital room with a young mother who traveled two days with her infant son to get him a Rotary-sponsored operation to correct his cleft palate."
Roston shared her memory, "Every International Humanitarian trip I have been on includes giving wheelchairs to people who have never had one. There is never a dry eye in the room when we witness a child or adult being carried in on someone's back or in their arms, and leaving in their own wheelchair."
Overcoming Challenges: Moments of Resilience
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club was forced to shift to virtual meetings. “Covid broke out in March 2020," Lushing shares, “and I had to make the ultimate decision to stop having in-person meetings. We were all forced to learn how to Zoom, and with so many older members–including myself–that wasn't an easy task. But we did, and never missed a single regularly scheduled meeting.”Charles Black III, 2020–21 president, describes the gravity of decision-making amidst the pandemic, “Facing a high-stakes meeting with Beverly Hills dignitaries in December 2021, we confronted a critical challenge when a new COVID outbreak emerged just an hour before. Upon urgent counsel from my wife, I canceled the in-person gathering, averting a potential health crisis—underscored when the Mayor subsequently tested positive for Covid, confirming the gravity of the decision and the responsibilities of my role.”
Past President Sharona Nazarian got creative with her term in 2021-22 during the pandemic utilizing public outreach on social media and email to engage the community and inspire volunteerism. “We worked to bring the community together through socials that were appropriate during the pandemic,” she adds. Events like disco bingo, sip and paint, gathering for their Under50 group, Past Presidents Club and Women's Round Table were opportunities designed to foster camaraderie and community engagement during times ridden with isolation and fear.
The club eventually began adopting hybrid meetings for the first time ever under Immediate Past President JR Dzubak. "It was an expensive year for the club subject to running a meeting physically and through Zoom. The Hybrid model was a huge challenge."
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
In the words of current President Lillian Raffel, the club's spirit resonates in its ability to celebrate. "The centennial is our moment to shine for a whole year, reflecting on our achievements and aspiring to even greater ones." Beyond the projects, beyond the accolades, and beyond the challenges, it's the human moments of connection, joy, and shared dedication that truly define the club.
As the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills steps into its next century, it carries forward a legacy of service to our community and all of humanity. Here's to another century of meaningful impact and dedicated service!
Local Projects & Impact
BEVERLY HILLS 9/11 MEMORIAL GARDEN
In 2014, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills led fundraising to create a 9/11 memorial garden, honoring victims and symbolizing enduring national values.
MUSIC MENDS MINDS
Initiated in 2018, "Music Mends Minds" local Beverly Hills band was created in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills and the City of Beverly Hills, launching the Beverly Hills Treble Makers' weekly therapeutic sessions every Tuesday for neurodegenerative care.
BEVERLY HILLS SIGN RESTORATION
In 2013, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills sponsored the restoration of the iconic 40-foot Beverly Hills sign at Beverly Gardens, where the donations raised helped to enhance the city's historical landmark. Robert "Robbie" Anderson, president in 2007-08, played a key role in completing the project.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Committed to enhancing community life, the Rotary Club of Beverly Hills has participated and continues to engage in several local initiatives. These efforts range from organizing pandemic-related food services and promoting safe driving through the "EVERY 15 MINUTES" program to contributing to toy, blanket and backpack drives, coordinating blood drives with added COVID testing, and supporting vital community services and environmental endeavors alongside TreePeople, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and Project Angel. Their ongoing involvement underscores a sustained dedication to communal health, education, and welfare.
Learn more about The Rotary Club of Beverly Hills at bhrotary.org.