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McKenzie Rotary Honored as Club Of the Year

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CLARKSVILLE (June 27) — Saturday evening, the Rotary Club of McKenzie was hailed with accolades and praise as it was named District 6760’s Club of the Year during the district’s 2019-2021 awards ceremony. McKenzie Club President Joel Washburn was presented a banner by District Governor Bob Huffman.
According to Huffman, “As the medium size club of the year, McKenzie Rotary marked high on the metrics showing it was deserving of the distinction. There are 61 clubs in the District 6760, allowing for three levels for the club of the year; small has a membership of fewer than 25, medium ranges from 25 to less than 50 members, while large has an excess of 50 members.”
Washburn said of the club’s recognition, “The club was truly blessed this year with great members, who work each day to make their community better. I am eager to see how we build on this success and continue the more than 80-year tradition of McKenzie Rotary and its association with the best service and leadership organization, Rotary International.”
Earlier in the awards celebration, McKenzie was recognized for its membership growth of over 30%. The dynamic growth moved the McKenzie club from the small club to the medium club status with 34 active members. Much of the growth can be attributed to Past-District Governor Ed Perkins, who brought in five new and/or returning members to the club.
The Rotary Year 2019-2020 was met with numerous challenges including tornadoes across much of West and Middle Tennessee, increased awareness of social injustices and the COVID-19 Pandemic. The issues at hand only brought the club together as it faced the challenges.
During the Rotary year, the club relocated meetings from Bethel University to Lakeside Senior Community and then to virtual meetings held on ZOOM.

Most importantly the club became a 100% Paul Harris Club, In order to be considered a 100% club all members must be Paul Harris Fellows. This is a one-time recognition. To become a Paul Harris fellow a individual gives $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation or is recognized by a club member with contribution in the person’s name.
The club’s PolioPlus fund was renamed in honor of Demetra Perkins and the club had 100% giving to the international Polio Plus campaign; there are only two countries with new infections (Afghanistan and Pakistan).
The McKenzie Rotary Club rebuilt the 15-year old rest areas along University Drive, helped with food drives in Trezevant and Gleason, provided food to Bethel’s international students, provided $1,000 to Carroll County Electric for customers who were struggling with electric bills and provided two scholarships to McKenzie High School students, one exclusively to Bethel University.
Money from the club’s Fannie Baxter and Neumie Moore Memorial Fund helped United Neighbors in its service to those less fortunate in the community and aided in the purchase of computers at the Webb School after-school tutoring program.
With 80 years of service, the club has entwined itself within the McKenzie community serving as its premier service organization. On July 1, Matt Lane takes over as club president.
Washburn said of Lane, “He has the energy and drive to move this club forward.” He added, “Tuesday is my last meeting as president, and I say thank you to our members. Thanks to past president Krista Martin for helping establish a refreshed vision. Thanks for the long-term members for sharing their history and wisdom, thanks for a great year. The District leadership took notice of your work.”
The McKenzie Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon. Currently, the club is working towards finding a temporary meeting place as it will resume meeting in person in July.