Many of you have sent me numerous requests by tweets, text messages and email, wanting to know more about the “Chautauqua Salute” that was given by the 1103 Rotarians who greeted Ravenna’s Arthur Sapp the Rotary International President when he spoke to the Portage Rotarians in November of 1927 at the Kent State Teachers College.
The Chautauqua Salute is the waving of a white handkerchief. It was first performed at Chautauqua Lake Institute in New York State in response to a lecturer who was a deaf mute and unable to hear the applause being given his address. It later became a symbolic way of greeting or acknowledging someone of importance.
In 1926 one of our charter members, Martin L. Daley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing honor to our club and city. Two years later, in 1928 he was a candidate for Governor of Ohio. Our club passed a resolution of endorsement, unanimously, with the realization that this endorsement was very much against the ethics of Rotary, but with unusual occasion of a member of our club aspiring to such a high office, the directors feel the offense to Rotary international would be pardoned in view of the circumstances.
Another moment in the history of our club!
Jim Myers
The Chautauqua Salute is the waving of a white handkerchief. It was first performed at Chautauqua Lake Institute in New York State in response to a lecturer who was a deaf mute and unable to hear the applause being given his address. It later became a symbolic way of greeting or acknowledging someone of importance.
In 1926 one of our charter members, Martin L. Daley was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing honor to our club and city. Two years later, in 1928 he was a candidate for Governor of Ohio. Our club passed a resolution of endorsement, unanimously, with the realization that this endorsement was very much against the ethics of Rotary, but with unusual occasion of a member of our club aspiring to such a high office, the directors feel the offense to Rotary international would be pardoned in view of the circumstances.
Another moment in the history of our club!
Jim Myers
