Friendship and Service
Around the World
BRIEF HISTORY OF
KY-OH-WV DISTRICT
District 10 of Pilot Club International (PI) was organized in 1939, and included clubs in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Of the original clubs, two are still active in the district: the Pilot Club of Columbus (Ohio) and the Pilot Club of Dayton (Ohio). Highlights of our history include:
- The first District Convention was held in Dayton, Ohio, in March, 1949, and a convention has been held annually since, with most of the clubs having served as hosts.
- In 1939, Florence Thacker Bradley, from Indianapolis, Indiana, was the first Governor of District 10.
- District 10 hosted two PI International Conventions: in Columbus (Ohio) in 1947, and in Cleveland (Ohio) in 1966.
- For the 1977-1978 club year, PI made the change from numbers to state names for the Districts. District 10 became the Kentucky-Ohio-West Virginia (KY-OH-WV) District.
- During the 2009-2010 club year, Governor Pamela Gray and webmaster Lynn Preast developed our district website.
- In 2010, the KY-OH-WV District hosted the PI International Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
Leadership from our District has been well represented through the years on the international level. Our members have served as PI Secretary, Treasurer, and Director, as well as Appointees. Five members have held the highest office, that of Pilot International President:
- Winifred Newman, Pilot Club of Charleston, West Virginia – 1954-55
- Marjorie Ater, Pilot Club of Columbus – 1980-81
- Phyllis Mayne, Pilot Club of Dayton – 1985-86
- Sue Trautwein, Pilot Club of Owensboro (Kentucky) – 1990-91
- Sharon Slusher, Pilot Club of Springfield (Ohio) – 2001-02
At the close of the 1981 PI International Convention in San Diego, California, Cookie Brooks, PI Executive Director, presented the KY-OH-WV District with the flag that had flown at PI headquarters during Marjorie Ater’s presidency. Traditionally, the state flag of the PI President is flown at headquarters. However, Marjorie had a special flag designed to include all three states of the KY-OH-WV District. This was a “first” at Pilot International.
The 15 Pilot Clubs that comprise the KY-OH-WV are active in diverse projects, tailoring their service activities to suit the requirements of their own communities. Clubs in the KY-OH-WV District support Pilot International's signature project, BrainMinders™, and Project LifeSaver in addition to other community service projects of special interest to their neighborhoods.
- PI’s BrainMinders program is a flexible program with components for children three to six, six to nine, teenagers, adults, and seniors. BrainMinders educates young children about the importance of brain safety. Teen, adult, and elder care components illustrate the dangers of brain injuries.
- Project Lifesaver, is an international program that provides tracking devices for bracelets worn by Alzheimer's patients and autistic children. It is funded by many local KY-OH-WV Pilot Clubs in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.
Members get together twice a year to share fellowship and learn new things: in the spring for our annual District Convention, and in the fall for either a two-day council or a one-day workshop.
New members are always needed to grow our organization and help meet local community needs. If you are a current KY-OH-WV resident or are moving to the KY-OH-WV District and would like to enrich your life with important community service, consider visiting a local Pilot Club. Our rich tradition of friendship and service is waiting to be shared.
