In 1968, Milt Aunan, a Rotarian from Bettendorf, Iowa, was transferred to Ankeny. Milt was contacted by a former District Governor about getting a Rotary Chapter started in Ankeny. In order to do this, Milt had to get the approval from all the Rotary Clubs in the Greater Des Moines area. This took a little time but through Milt's persistence and help from the Northwest Rotary Club, the approval was achieved in 1972. The rules then stated that in order for a chapter to be granted a charter, they must have 26 members. This goal was reached quite easily, the club was chartered, and the first meeting was held at the Best Western Inn on East First Street in Ankeny on January 19, 1973. The Northwest Rotary Club was very supportive in starting the Ankeny Club and they hosted a grand dinner for Ankeny's charter night, picking up the tab for the Ankeny members and spouses. A very special bond developed between the Ankeny Club and the Northwest Club because of all the support that was given along with many man-hours helping fine tune the Ankeny Club.
