History of Retired Men's Club
The YMCA Retired Men's Club dates back to the summer of 1961, when a gentleman by the name of Howard Hansis called a meeting in August with five men in attendance. Hansis was the Associated General Secretary of the Rockford YMCA at that time. By November, the membership had grown to over 20 members.
The first general invitation to membership was issued May 15, 1962. The original purpose of the club was the need for companionship and to cure the boredom of retirement for men who had not seen each other since their grammar school days and World War I.
This group of men decided they could best serve the community and their interests by benefitting the youth programs of the Y. Each year since 1962 that has been the primary purpose of the Retired Men's Club. In 1996, the Board modified its purpose to provide a program of entertainment and education.
The RMC still meets weekly in the YMCA Log Lodge. Each week the program consists of a speaker from the area ranging from our local, county, state and federal government officials, local business executives, federal agency members and health officials from the area health systems.