History :

The Griffin Daybreak Club was chartered in June 1997 from the Griffin Noonday Rotary Club which was formally organized February 26, 1924 with the assistance of the Macon Rotary Club.

In early 1923, an informal businessmen's club discussing the relative merits of Rotary and Kiwanis, organized themselves as the Tuesday Luncheon Club upon motion of John B. Mills. Other charter members were E. H. Griffin, J. W. Hammond, C, M. Power, Pink Traer, John Morrow, J. P. Mason, E. K. Domingos. Frank S. Pittman, J. L. Satterwhite and W. T. Bennett.

During the summer of 1923 the Macon Club gave Griffin a favorable report to Rotary International and in November 1923, Guy Gundaker, President of Rotary International, named Mr. Gresham organizing chairman. J. Woods Hammond took over this responsibility on February 19, 1924, shortly after his Tuesday Luncheon Club had voted to tie its future to either Rotary or Kiwanis. After an impressive delegation from Macon Rotary presented its case, Mr. Hammond quickly led the group to a unanimous decision to join Rotary with himself as Charter President. Frank Smith was elected Vice-President; Lem Satterwhite, Secretary; Milton Daniel, Treasurer; and John Morrow, Sergeant-at-Arms.

The first meeting as the Griffin Rotary Club was held March 6, 1924, following acceptance from Rotary International with the installation ceremony as Club No. 1657 conducted by District Governor Guernsey and Macon Rotary at the Griffin Hotel on March 19, 1924.

Following that first year, the Griffin Rotary Club developed a tradition of prestige and excellence that it has maintained ever since. Many current members are second and third generation Rotarians.

Griffin Rotary's success through the years can be attributed to its outstanding committees, and to encourage their good work, in 1938 then President R. G. Hunt donated a silver loving cup as a reward to the outstanding Rotary Committee. The 18-inch cup remains with the recipient for 12 months and is a cherished reminder of "SERVICE ABOVE SELF."

In 1949, Griffin Rotary began its continuing participation in the Georgia Foreign Student Program, which is described in more detail elsewhere.

In 1959, Willis Warnell became Griffin's only District Governor, and served with distinction. To honor Griffin Rotary's most faithful member, the late Dick Mitchell, in 1965 the Club established an award given annually to the club with the best average attendance in each of the three size categories.

Griffin Rotary has four times been instrumental in extending Rotary to its sister cities. In 1939, under the leadership of then President John R, Mabbett, Barnesville Rotary was established, and in May of 1990, under the leadership of President Larry Stover, Thomaston-Upson was finally chartered, in June 1995, under the leadership of President John Newton, Forsyth was chartered.