John Capps Rotary International District 7730 Papers

Collection

Identifier: SC-MS-285

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of Rotary International District 7730 in southeastern North Carolina. These papers originate from and are mostly specific to John T. Capps III and his district involvement--especially his District Governorship from 1985-86--as well as his membership in the Morehead City-Noon, N.C. club from 1968 through the 2000s. Capps's father--John T. Capps, Jr., known by his middle name Talbot--served in Rotary International District 7730's Kinston club of North Carolina, and some of his papers from the 1950s-1970s are also found within the collection. He served as District Governor from 1969-1970.

In the early 90s, the District was renumbered to 7730 from 773, so material prior to then reflects the original numbering, though it is the same District.

Papers include organizational records, membership lists, newsletters and other publications, travel documents, conference and meeting agendas, special committee and council materials, personal and business correspondence, reports, notices and memos, budgets and expenses, award and fellowship receipients, information on the Rotary Foundation, Rotary programs like the Group Study Exchange (GSE) and Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), and work with other national and international Rotary clubs and districts.

Dates

Creation: 1919-2018
Creation: Majority of material found within 1985-1999

Creator

Rotary International (Organization)
Capps, John T., III (John Talbot), 1941-2022 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Some folders contain material that is restricted from public access. Please contact Special Collections Staff for information on access.

Copyright Statement

Copyright retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Biographical and Historical Note

Rotary International is an international service organization whose purpose is "to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world." It was founded in 1905 Chicago as the Rotary Club by lawyer Paul Harris, who felt he and his fellow professionals had a duty to give back to their communities. When clubs expanded outside of the United States in 1912, its name was updated to reflect an international membership. However, it wasn't until 1987 that women were officially allowed as members of the organization. The first club in District 7730, which was formerly District 773 and covers southeastern North Carolina, was the Wilmington Rotary Club. Chartered in 1915, it was the second Rotary club formed in North Carolina (after Raleigh) and was the 150th club of Rotary International overall. As of 2019, there are over 50 clubs in District 7730.

John Talbot Capps III was a member of the Morehead City-Noon Rotary Club since 1968. He served as charter president of the club in 1981 and as District Governor of Rotary International District 773 (now 7730) from 1985-1986. He joined Rotary in the footsteps of his father, John Talbot Capps, Jr., who served as District Governor from 1969-1970; his grandfather John Talbot Capps; and his uncle, John C. Hood, Jr, who served as District Governor from 1981-1982. In the early 90s, he led a Group Study Exchange with India's District 321, and then he spent the next nearly 15 years making humanitarian trips back to the country. He received the Rotary Foundation's Citation for Meritorious Service, Distinguished Service Award, International Service Award for a Polio-free World, and Rotary International's Service Above Self Award.

Born in Virginia in 1941, Capps spent most of his life in North Carolina after attending Campbell University and Eastern Carolina University. In Morehead City, he ran Capps Printing Group, the family's business since 1983. His wife, Jane Capps, is an honorary Rotary member and worked closely with him on many Rotary projects. John also founded the Bald Headed Men of America in 1972, which garnered him media appearances on popular news shows. He continued to work as an inspirational speaker and humanitarian until his death on January 27, 2022.

Extent

53 Containers (Contains 43 bankers boxes, 4 document boxes, 3 oversize boxes, and 2 map case folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The papers of Rotary International District 7730 have been arranged per organizational area into five series: Business; Clubs; Conferences, Conventions, and Travel; Programs and Events; and Publications. All are additionally sub-divided into sub-series, where applicable.