Rotary Club of Wakulla County Installs New Officers

The Rotary Club of Wakulla County held its annual Installation Banquet this past Thursday evening, June 26, 2008 at the Bistro at Wildwood.  Jo Anne Strickland, Rotary President for the 2007-2008 year presided over the festivities, thanking fellow members for their service throughout the past year.

Assistant Rotary District Governor Sylvia White and Past Rotary District Governor Ivan Johnson were special guests for the evening.  White began the awards presentations by awarding the prestigious Presidents Citation Award to Jo Anne Strickland.  

Strickland presented several Service Awards to those Rotarians who she felt had "stepped up" whenever asked, no matter how small or large the task.  Those members receiving Service Awards were Amy Geiger, Becky Bergeron, Mike Compton, Regina Compton, Mary Ellen Davis and Guinn Haskins.

New member Niraj Patel received the "Stepping Up" award for his help with the Valentine Celebration Breakfast both as a monetary sponsor and as a volunteer the day of the Celebration.

Rotarians Fran Councill, Mike and Regina Compton, and Becky Bergeron received certificates for their participation in the "Rotary Ramp Up" project here in Wakulla County.  They provided lunches for the local groups who constructed handicap ramps for several homes here in Wakulla County.

Program Chair Bob Ryals was presented with a certificate for his diligent work in preparing interesting and informative programs and recruiting speakers for weekly Rotary meetings during the past year.  

Don Henderson was awarded a certificate for his duties as Sergeant at Arms for the club during the past year. 

Members Becky Bergeron, Doug Jones, Amy Geiger, Guinn Haskins, Mike Compton, Jared Miller, Niraj Patel, Michelle Snow, Karla Revels, Francie Lowe, Garth Smelser, Brent Thurmond, Mike Compton, and Brian Walgamott each received special certificates for their help with the annual Rotary Valentines Celebration this past February.  They either helped with the parade organization, sale of raffle tickets, breakfast in the park, vendor organization, or entertainment during the festival.

Rotarians Garth Smelser, Doug Jones, Mary Katherine Westmark, Marj Law, and Amy Geiger were recognized for their particpation in the Dictionary Project, which was carried out during the fall.  The project provided every third grader in Wakulla County with their own dictionary.  The project was the brainchild of Rotarian Garth Smelser.  Smelser's wife, Julie, also received a certificate for helping out with the project.

Smelser was also awarded the coveted prize of "Rotarian of the Year" by fellow club members for his work on the Dictionary Project and for graciously assisting in other projects during the past year.  Strickland also presented him with a scrap book she made containing all the thank you notes received from Wakulla County third graders for their dictionaries.

Strickland presented several members with Paul Harris Fellowships, including Brian English, Becky Bergeron and Garth Smelser. 

Finally, 2007-2008 President Jo Anne Strickland presented each club member with a personalized coffee mug as a token of her appreciation for supporting her during her term.   

Past Rotary Governor Ivan Johnson installed the new officers for the 2008-2009 year.  They are Brian English, President; Becky Bergeron, Vice President; Doug Jones, Secretary; and Garth Smelser, Treasurer.  Board members for the 2008-2009 year are Amy Geiger, Guinn Haskins, Niraj Patel, and Mary Katherine Westmark.

After the officers were installed, incoming president Brian English gave his acceptance speech, in which he spoke about his hopes and plans for the coming year.  He then presented outgoing president Jo Anne Strickland with a special award for all her hard work in making the club a huge success for another year running.  During Strickland's term close to $15,000 was given to needy organizations right here in Wakulla County.  The club also presented Sunshine State Reader Books to both Wakulla Middle School and Riversprings Middle School, as well as dictionaries to every third grader in Wakulla County.  The club also assisted in building handicap ramps for several local families, provided emergency relief to disaster victims in Kenya, and helped provide flu shots to veterans through the Wakulla County Health Department.  In addition, the club won first place for their Display Board presentation at the Rotary District Conference in Panama City.  Strickland received a standing ovation from the club.

Photo 1:  Sylvia White presents Jo Anne Strickland with President's Citation Award.

Photo 2:  Garth Smelser receives "Rotarian of the Year" award from Jo Anne Strickland.

Photo 3:  Ivan Johnson installs 2008-2009 officers.

Photo 4:  Brian English presents Jo Anne Strickland with Past President's Award. 

This article originally published on July 3, 2008.

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