Incoming Yadkin County Rotary Club President Mark Brandon speaks during a meeting of the club held to install its new officers.
The Yadkin County Rotary Club held its annual Officer Installation Banquet on June 23 with new officers gathering in a small group observing social distancing guidelines and the remaining members joining via virtual video conference.
Outgoing President Anne Hennis thanked attendees and commented on the unusual year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has also been a pivotal year for the Yadkin County Rotary Club,” said Hennis. “Mark Moloney’s theme for 2019-2020 is Rotary Connects the World. He called on Rotary members to grow Rotary –to grow our membership so that we can achieve more. The Yadkin Co. Rotary Club heeded the call by admitting eight new members.”
New members of the Yadkin County Rotary Club include Nolan Brown, Abby Catoe, Ercel Carter, Wayne Duggins, Joy Kay, Tina Phillips, David Tickle and Susie Tickle. Dustin Calloway also rejoined the club after a short absence.
“In my opinion, our membership growth during the year has been our most outstanding achievement,” Hennis added. “Thanks to Dan Pavlansky, the membership committee, and sponsors. During 2019-2020, we revised our bylaws to admit corporate members to broaden our reach across the community. The Club was also renamed and became a county-wide club. We were the Yadkinville Rotary Club, and now we are the Yadkin County Rotary Club. These changes will foster membership growth in the years ahead.”
Hennis called the Rotary Club members “people of action with a focus of doing good in the world.”
“Today we are closer than ever to eradicating polio. Only three countries have endemic cases of polio. Rotary will continue working towards the day when there is no more polio. Although the virus has slowed Rotary’s progress the goal is still within our reach,” said Hennis.
While in person meetings were not held in the recent weeks, Hennis praised presenters who addressed the club during its recent virtual meetings on Zoom.
The club has continued its financial support of a variety of organizations in the county.
“Through contributions provided by District 7690 and our club we were able to support Yadkin Christian Ministries, and Hands of Hope during this difficult period of time when funds were low,” Hennis said. “We also provided local grants to Annie’s Hope, Boonville BackPack Program, Networks, Smart Start, the Yadkin Arts Council, and Yadkinville United Methodist Church. Our donation to Yadkin Christian Ministries provided 160 pounds of food for local residents in need. Our grants support local nonprofit organizations and enable them to remain healthy and viable. We provided additional support to the community through our District Grants for the YMCA Bright Beginnings, the Yadkinville, School Literacy Night, and Encouraging Young Readers at the Yadkinville Library.”
Mark Brandon was installed during the meeting as the club’s 2020-21 president.
Brandon said that motivation, resolve and friendship were among the things he finds from being involved in the organization.
“My whole life I have worked off of being inspired. It motivates me to be and do better. Rotary International is full of inspiring people that have a servant’s heart. It is almost a bottomless well of inspiration. I also love the fact that wherever I go in the world, there is a connection to others who want the world to be better,” Brandon said.
Brandon said Yadkin County is his home and always will be and that he noted how important it was for him to do all he could to make the county a better place.
“The Yadkin Rotary club is a great conduit for channeling our ability to make a positive impact on Yadkin County,” said Brandon.
Reflecting on her time as president Hennis said, “the Yadkin County Rotary Club has a wonderful group of community leaders who are willing to give their time and resources to the club and the community. The camaraderie is also very good, we have a lot of fun!”
“By belonging to Rotary I feel that I am making a difference in local, regional, national, and international areas,” Hennis added. “Polio eradication has been a Rotary goal for quite some time and is within reach in the near future.”
Past President and Charter Member John Willingham said he was impressed with the club’s commitment to the community.
“Twenty years ago we had one or two projects. We have grown into a club that makes many efforts to support our community,” said Willingham. “It is the money that we give and it’s the manpower that we put into these things. We always rise to the occasion and I just love that about our club.”
During the June 23 meeting, Lisa Hughes was installed as the club’s president elect. Ercel Carter will serve as treasurer and Tommy Jester as secretary.
Several awards were presented to club members as well.
Rotary Club Awards
The Service Above Self Award was presented to Virgil Dodson for his work on developing, guiding, and administering the club’s grants efforts.
The Distinguished Service Award was given to Susan Gmeiner for her work as the club’s s Public Image Chair and also a District Foundation Advocate.
The Presidents Award was presented to Linda King for her dedication to the Encouraging Young Readers Project, the Bloodmobile, and her support of Yadkin Community Service.
Mark Diachenko was honored as Rotarian of the Year. Diachenko organized the club’s trip to Victory Junction and Petty Enterprises to learn more about NASCAR and the Petty’s camp. He spearheaded the Yadkinville Elementary School Literacy Night so that students and their parents could receive a book and a free dinner. He also expanded sales of chicken stew to district leaders to that we could increase giving to Polio Plus.
The Four-Way Test Award was presented to new member Ercel Carter who presented two programs during the year expanding the group’s knowledge of the Payroll Protection Program and arthritis.
Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter and Instagram @RippleReporterK.