RCY Past President Bill Lawson was inspired by three other past presidents to join Rotary. Read on to learn more about his other inspirations – history, family, community – and his knack for knowing someone wherever he goes.
Name: H. William Lawson
Preferred Nickname: Bill
Years in Rotary: 16
Resident of: City of Youngstown
Hometown: Youngstown/Boardman
How long have you lived here? Almost my entire life!
What brought you here, or kept you here? The opportunity to work in the public history field in my hometown, and that Mahoning Valley Historical Society is a dynamic organization in which the Board and staff are dedicated to continuous improvement and expansion of our mission, has kept me here.
Education: Boardman Local Schools; Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in History, Youngstown State University
Occupation: Executive Director, Mahoning Valley Historical Society
Who is in your family circle? Wife, Joan; daughter, Meghan; Son, Brian; Mom, Marilyn; sister, Joan and brother in law, Bob; three nephews, Quinn, Aidan and Anders.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? Camping at Guilford Lake; day trips in the car; attending music shows and occasionally playing my guitars; exploring antique malls and flea markets; collecting and playing with model and toy trains and die cast cars; maintaining and cruising in a full-size antique car.
Why did you join Rotary? Our historical society was involved with the Rotary Club of Youngstown in local planning for the Rotary International Centennial celebration of 2005. In that same time period, MVHS had three Board Presidents in a row -- Charlie McCrudden, Bill Cleary, Reid Schmutz -- who were Youngstown Rotarians. Looking closely at the Club's and R.I.'s history, and working with Charlie, Bill and Reid, greatly impressed me and made me want to be a Rotarian.
Why do you remain a Rotarian? Though the number of members ebbs and flows, the quality and dedication of my fellow Youngstown Rotarians, many of whom I'm happy to say are now younger than me, always inspires me. I can honestly say that I like and respect every member of our club! And the long history of service and generosity in response to needs in the Youngstown community speaks for itself.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? I was most intimately involved with the Centennial project to renovate and improve the Wick Park picnic pavilion and community center during my year as President. The results were a great public benefit. But the projects that directly impact the lives of people -- mentoring Youngstown City Schools students, Operation Warm, the Boys & Girls Club, Polio eradication, and other international projects -- are vitally important to all of us.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? It means that, because of my good fortunes and opportunities in life as a child and an adult thanks to my family, education, and personal and professional relationships, I need and want to help others along the way. A better community is better for all of us!
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? Something less fulfilling, I would imagine.
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? Both!
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? Sure.
What do you think of Scott Schulick's Rotary pants, and would you wear a pair? They're stylin'; and yes ... if they come in big and tall sizes!
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? Among my family and close friends, I have a reputation for meeting people I know, or who know me, or who are Mahoning Valley natives, no matter where I go. The ultimate of these experiences happened in Belfast, Northern Ireland, two years ago. Joan and I were in the Ulster Museum, when a young woman came through a doorway, looked at us, and asked “excuse me, but are you from the U.S.?” We answered yes. She then looked at me and asked “are you Bill Lawson?” I replied yes, and Joan began laughing hysterically. As it turned out, Katie McClurkin is a local native and alumna of Ursuline High School and Y.S.U. She was a doctoral candidate in public history at Middle Tennessee State University, and was working on a one-year externship at the Ulster Museum as part of her program. She remembered having a tour of the Tyler History Center with me as an undergraduate at Y.S.U.!