Longtime Rotary clubs in Spokane Valley will combine memberships July 1

Two Spokane Valley Rotary Clubs are merging to become one larger, leaner and more efficient organization.

Spokane Valley East Rotary and Spokane Valley Rotary began talks about merging more than a year ago, when Spokane Valley president Paul Fletcher reached out to East Valley.

“It was just a conversation in a parking lot after a meeting,” Fletcher said. “We took our time. No one likes change. You kind of have to broach it.”

Heather Schelling, Spokane Valley East Rotary President-elect, said the two clubs formed a feasibility committee and began going over all the details that had to be addressed in a merger.

“In December both clubs held a vote and decided to move forward with the merger,” Schelling said.

The new club will be called Greater Spokane Valley Rotary and have about 50 members, making it one of the largest in the Spokane-area.

Rotary 21, which meets downtown, has several hundred members and has been the largest club for many years, said Fletcher.

Greater Spokane Valley Rotary will meet on Wednesdays at noon at Darcy’s Restaurant, 10502 E. Sprague Ave.

Schelling said the first meeting will be on July 5.

“The Rotary year begins on July 1,” Schelling said.

The two clubs will continue the established fundraisers both clubs have held for years.

“We have been supporting each other anyway but we will have more hands to do the work now,” Schelling said.

Fletcher said the clubs also will save money by sharing expenses.

“It costs about $4,000 a year to keep a club like ours going,” Fletcher said. “We can run a club that’s twice as big for the same price, and give more money to the community.”

Expenses include fees to Rotary International, insurance, post office box rental and website maintenance, Fletcher said.

“For now we are just getting together,” Schelling said. “We are both excited about it.”