Wilshire Rotary President Has A Dream
While watching the 1978 Pasadena Rose Parade on Television, Jack Gilbert, who was President of the Wilshire Rotary Club, in Los Angeles, California, and subsequently chairman of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee, had an idea. Rotary would be celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 1980. Jack believed that by entering a float in the 1980 New Year’s Day Rose Parade, Rotary could communicate its message, “Service Above Self” to millions of people worldwide.
Jack shared his vision with other Rotarians, who supported the idea. Seven Governors in Southern California agreed to underwrite the cost of the float and make up any shortfall not covered by Club contributions. Fortunately, the Clubs contributed $35,000 which covered the full cost of the original float.
This first Tournament of Roses experience lead to the formation of the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee which now receives contributions each year from approximately 8 Rotary Districts and an additional 700 Individual Rotary Clubs to fund the float. The Committee has entered a float every year since 1980.The theme of Rotary’s 75th Anniversary Float was “Love Makes the World Go Around” and it won the National Trophy.
“Anyone who makes it the age 75 deserves at least a few flowers on his or her birthday.” This year Rotary got roses, thousands of them. The rainbow colored float carried a revolving globe covered with white carnation petals, surrounded by a bouquet of Dutch Iris and silverleaf. A musical staff with notes bordered the sides of the float, leading to the Rotary emblem, colored with swarms of pompoms and cornflowers. The float’s base was blanketed with 8,000 red roses.
The float was valued at over $40,000, but a price tag couldn’t be placed on the favorable publicity attracted to Rotary International. The 1980 float was funded by Rotary Clubs in the Western United States.