In August of 1975, a group of Bay Countians in Cincinnati, Ohio for a wedding of Brenda Eddings, decided that since so many Floridians (Bay Countians) living in the Midwest were in attendance, that they should hold a once a year reunion. Consequently, the delegation from Milwaukee suggested that the first reunion be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Thus, in February of the following year (1976) the first Floridian club was formed in the City of Milwaukee. Arthur Williams was elected as the first President.
The first Floridian Reunion was held August 6-8, 1976, only six months after the formation of the first Floridian Club. By this time, four other clubs had been organized and were represented at the reunion. They were Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Panama City. In the succeeding years, serving as host cities for the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Reunions were Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Panama City and San Francisco, respectively.
During the Third Reunion in Detroit, 1978, it was observed that an increasing number of Floridians and their guests were attending the annual reunions, and too often, without the host chapter having prior knowledge of their intent to participate in the activities. Realizing that to continue to hold reunions without some directions would eventually lead to havoc an ad hock committee was formed for the purpose of developing guidelines by which chapters would operate. Dr. Ulysses G. Horne was appointed as chairman of the committee. At the reunion in Cincinnati, 1979, tentative guidelines (national structure, constitution and bylaws) were presented and temporary officers (Dr. Ulysses G. Horne, President; Amos Barnes, 1st. Vice President; Arthur Williams, 2nd Vice President; Wilma Nettles, Secretary; and Thomas Bowers, Treasure) were elected.
On December 26, 1980, Chapters; Atlanta, Bay County, Northern California, Southern California, Sacramento California, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Milwaukee, Saudi Arabia, South Florida, Tampa and Tri-State (includes Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York) attended the Executive Board meeting which was held in Panama City, Florida. The Chapters unanimously agreed to have a National organization and to support its guidelines.
The temporary officers elected in Cincinnati also served as officers of the official National Organization. Installation of these officers was performed by Dr. Richard Vernon Moore and on December 26, 1980, The National Association of Floridian Clubs, Inc. (NAFCI) became a reality and thus becoming a Chartered Non-Profit Organization by the State of Florida in 1984.
Presently the Organization consist of the following chapters:
- Bay County, Panama City, Fl
- South Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Fl
- Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
- Tri-State, New York, New York
- Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Northern California, Oakland, California
- Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- National Members (persons not associated with a local chapter).
