The Rotary Club of Deerwood began as a dream of six Rotarians who were members of the Rotary Club of Mandarin in the fall of 1985.  Dave Burback, Denny Doyle, Scott McCaleb, Robb Mitchell, Tom Petway and Leonard Taylor believed that the growing Baymeadows area of Jacksonville could easily support a vibrant Rotary Club.  After gaining the endorsement of the Mandarin Club, the group began meeting each week under the supervision of the District club expansion director Dick Morales.  By the spring of 1986, the group had completed all the organizing requirements and had recruited an additional 15 men to become new Rotarians.  On April 11, 1986 the Rotary Club of Southeast Jacksonville was chartered with 21 founding members.