Oyster Point Rotary History

The Rotary Club of Oyster Point was chartered on January 24, 1984 with 20 members. Alan Witt was the first president.  The second and third presidents were Tom Brooks and Nick Vlattas who are still members today.  Find a complete list of club presidents here.

Paul Harris Fellow recognition is awarded to members to have donated $1,000 or more in lifetime donations to The Rotary Foundation.  A Paul Harris Fellow may also be awarded as an honor.  The Club's first Paul Harris Fellow was awarded to Harry Doggette for his contributions to founding the club.  Since then, over 100 past and current members have become Paul Harris Fellows. 

On July 22, 1998 the Club founded the Oyster Point Rotary Foundation, a registered 501c3, to assist with funding charitable projects. 

The Club's first signature fundraiser, chaired by Michael Link, was an annual golf tournament for local Boys Scouts.  The Club continues to host an annual golf tournament, now in partnership with Christol House.

Rotary International, in 1985 launched PolioPlus to immunize the children of the world against polio setting a goal to raise $120 million. The Rotary Club of Oyster Point joined the call by Rotary International by making a pledge in 1986 to contribute $50,000 to the PolioPlus campaign. In support of that goal the Oyster Point Rotary Run for PolioPlus was conceived and held on April 18, 1987. The event chaired by Tom Herbert, was a resounding success with over 600 runners.  Today, the Club hosts a variety of fundraisers to support PolioPlus. 

In honor of past president Howard Manly, deceased, the Club sponsors a scholarship to an individual selected by New Horizons.

For over a decade, the Club has organized Bikes for Tikes.  The Club builds approximately 100 bicycles to be distributed to local children as holiday presents.  Recipients are selected by the YMCA and other partnering organizations.  

The Club has hosted an annual oyster roast since 1984.  In 2013, chaired by Ed Maroney, the Club launched an annual oyster roast fundraiser: the Oyster Bash, which has raised over $200,000 for nonprofits and charitable projects in our community.

In 2019, the Club initiated the Community Citizen Award.  The first recipient was Newport News Shipbuilding.

In 2020, the Club chaired its first Global Grant in partnership with the Rotary Club of Accra Labone, Ghana to build 9 mechanized borehole wells to bring clean water to over 9,000 people. 

Charter Members:

Mark Ailsworth
David Alexander
Wendell Barbour
Lee Barnes
Robert Brantley
Tom Brooks
David Bugin
Nat Cooper (deceased)
Matt Diamond
Harry Doggett (deceased)
Henry Fail J
ack Gibson
Charles Harper
John Sealey (deceased)
Mike Sim
Nick Vlattas
Steve Waite
Joe Warren
Tim Wertheimer
Alan Witt