The Effinger Ruritan Club had its beginning and first official meeting at the Palmer Graded School, Thursday, June 19, 1947, at 7:30 P.M.  Two previous meetings had been held, one at the Effinger High School and the other at the Collierstown Graded School, to inform the men of the community concerning the needs, purposes and objectives of Ruritan.  It was at these meetings that the decision was made to organize a club in the Buffalo District of Rockbridge County.

"Charter Night" July 24, 1947 was held at the Collierstown Grade School.  Charles Davidson, Kerrs Creek-Sponsoring Club, presented the charter to J. Graham Goodman, Effinger Ruritan Club's president.  This charter was signed by the forty-two members present.  Howard Zigler, Ruritan National President elect, spoke on "What Ruritan Means and Stands For."

The first Board of Directors meeting was held July 7, 1947, at the Effinger High School.  The third Thursday of each month was set aside as the official meeting night.  The dues were established as four dollars per quarter with a $.50 fee for each member joining the club.  This would build up a small cash fund for the club.  The maximum number of members allowed for the club for anyone year was not to exceed fifty.  A five cent fee would be imposed on any member caught calling another member "Mr." - all members were to be addressed either by first name or by nickname.  Members were to wear their Ruritan pins at all meetings.  If a member was noted not to be wearing a pin, he would be charged five cents.

As of January 2009, one charter member remained active in Club activities.