James L. Bomar, Jr.
Rotary Interact Scholarship Foundation, Inc. (BIF)

What is it?

The Bomar Interact Foundation is:

1. A legally separate entity of District 6780 chartered by the State of Tennessee as a not for profit corporation.
   
2. An organization whose membership consists of the current president of every Rotary club in District 6780 and other individuals as described in the bylaws of the Foundation.
   
3. Governed by a five member board of directors and supported by the District 6780 Secretary and Treasurer.

The 2007 - 2008 members are:

• John Bailey PDG - Chair
  
• Robin Hines PDG
  
• Karen Wentz PDG
  
• Jim Devlin PDG (ex officio)
  
• Robin Textor DG (ex officio)
  
• Carol Foster, Secretary
  

What is the purpose?

The purpose of this foundation is to annually recognize outstanding and worthy Interact members in District 6780 with a scholarship award of a minimum of $1,000 each.

1. To date, we are awarding three $1,250 scholarships annually.
   
2. By receiving increased contributions, we plan to award more and larger scholarships each year.
   

History

The Bomar Interact Foundation (BIF) was created to recognize the outstanding leadership to Rotary International of PRIP James L. Bomar, Jr. of district 6780.

James L. Bomar, Jr. was:

• President of the Rotary Club of Shelbyville, 67-68
  
• District governor, 69-70
  
• RI director, 74-75
  
• RI third vice president,75-76
  
• Chair 1977 RI Council on Legislation
  
• RI president, 79-80
  
• Rotary Foundation Trustee, 80-86

Jim was a native and lifelong resident of Bedford County, TN. He served in the US Navy during World War II. He was accepted as an active member of the Rotary Club of Shelbyville in January, 1941. He held the active classification of Law, General before becoming senior active. Jim began practicing law in Shelbyville in 1940. Between 1947 and 1965, he served in the Tennessee State Legislature.

During his term as club President, Jim helped organize the district's first Interact Club at Shelbyville Central High School. As District Governor, his energetic leadership resulted in the chartering of eighteen new Interact clubs for a total of 21 - the largest number in any Rotary district in the Rotary world at that time.

One of the most memorable events occurred in the Philippines while carrying out Rotary's 75th Anniversary 3-H Program to immunize the children there against polio. While at one of the project sites, Jim observed the already-afflicted polio children, who crawled spider-like along the ground unable to stand on their weakened limbs. As he administered those magic drops to a small baby he held in his arms, he felt a tug on his trouser leg. Looking down, he saw one of the crawlers - a smiling boy who pointed to the child in his arms. "Thank you, Rotary", the boy said, that's my sister."

The immunization project in the Philippines was the forerunner of Rotary's worldwide Polio Plus program whose goal is to immunize all the children in the world by the year 2005 - the 100th anniversary of Rotary. After his year as RI President, the Rotary Club of Shelbyville initiated a proposal to District 6780 that resulted in the district sponsored "James L. Bomar, Jr. Rotary Interact Scholarship Award", followed in 1989 by the formation of the "James L. Bomar, Jr. Rotary Interact Scholarship Foundation, Inc.". These two programs were created to recognize and honor Jim for his vast contributions to Rotary.

James Lafayette Bomar, Jr. died on June 25, 2001 after an extended illness.

How to contribute to the Bomar Interact Foundation

There are many ways to contribute to the BIF:

1. Make contributions in memory of a deceased Rotarian from your club or another club.
   
2. Make contributions in memory of a deceased friend or community leader.
   
3. Make contributions in honor of a person who has performed extraordinary service to your Rotary club, to our District, to their community, etc.
   
4. Make contributions to honor milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
   
5. Establish club budgeted yearly contributions.
   
6. Download, complete, and mail, with your contribution, the Donor Form (below)

The District Golf Tournament benefits the Bomar Interact Foundation

Donor Form (.pdf)