A Proud Tradition

Lasting friendship and public service for more than 100 years…

The Young Men’s Club of Bloomington is part of a long and proud tradition. It has been a source of lasting friendship and public service for more than 100 years. The membership consists of more than 100 local businessmen and professionals.

Since the club was founded in October 1916, it has been known as the most relaxed business and professional club in town. Attendance at the regular Tuesday noon meetings at the Ozark House has never been required, but members attend regularly to enjoy the companionship, entertaining programs, and friendly heckling of officers and fellow members.

The club’s Youth Opportunity Foundation, through its Legacy Endowment Fund, supports three local organizations to help provide young people with opportunities for healthy and nurturing activities. The organizations include the McLean County Museum of History’s Futures in History Camp, the Boys and Girls Club and the Challenger Learning Center.

President’s Message

2023-24 President Gary Blakney

Founded in 1916, The Young Men’s Club of Bloomington-Normal is a well-established and unique organization. We have an informal welcoming atmosphere of our weekly meetings that provides time for relaxation, fun, and friendship with fellow club members. The expertise of a wide-range of speakers enables us to become more knowledgeable of what makes Bloomington-Normal and the surrounding area the enjoyable place to live and explore

that we find it to be. Membership is a group of men from a broad cross-section of the business and professional community. Some are still working in their respective jobs. Several are retired. We have a delightful time together and have lots of laughs. We meet weekly every Tuesday the Holiday Inn in north Normal. We were provided a lunch at 11:45. The program followed and the meeting ended at 1:00 pm. We have Zoom meetings available for members that are not able to attend the meetings in person.

Since the pandemic has ended, we have resumed our annual outings for golf, and for celebrating life together with our spouses or significant others with the annual holiday party at the Bloomington Country Club.We also have theater parties on our Ladies Night Out, two or three times a year. We continue our philanthropic support for our community through The Young Men’s Youth Opportunity Foundation. This Foundation enables us to enrich the lives of youth: the Boys and Girls Club, the Challenger Learning Center, and the McLean County Museum of History’s Futures in History Camp.

So, we invite anyone that is interested to join us in our current activities as we look forward to celebrating once again face-to-face when our lives return to a new reality! Contact me at 309-846 – 4645 if you are interested in being a part of The Young Men’s Club. Guests are always welcome!

Yours truly,

Gary Blakney

2023-2024 President