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A History Of Our Club
In 1949, Inez Awty Schaffer suggested the idea of a personal meeting and
the idea became a reality with a cocktail party sponsored by Inez's boss,
Mr. John Bricker, and Mr. William G. Helis, Jr. Seventy-nine women from
nineteen oil companies attended the cocktail party and it turned out to be
such a success.
The Articles of Incorporation were being drawn up even before the first
meeting, which was held on June 9, 1949, at the Petroleum Club. At this
meeting the name of "Desk and Derrick Club" was unanimously agreed upon by
the board. Club membership that first year was approximately 300 and dues
were $3.00 per year. Clubs were soon formed in Jackson, Los Angeles and
Houston.
In August 1949, the first issue of the New Orleans Desk and Derrick Times
was published. The first Industry Appreciation Night was held on November
16, 1949 with 500 people attending. The cost was $2.00 per person.
In July, the Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs of North America was
formed by Jackson, Los Angeles and Houston with New Orleans as the founding
club. The New Orleans Club has the distinction of having its own Lee Wilson
Hoover as the first Association president, Enid Bahle as secretary, and
Virginia Murray as treasurer.
The first Association convention was held in 1952 in Houston and New
Orleans hosted its first convention in 1956 with over 1,300 registrants out
of a membership of almost 10,000, a record attendance at that time!
This is where it all began and this is why the New Orleans Club is
No.1
In North America!
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