McKenzie Rotary Transitions to a New Year

McKENZIE (June 20) — Christy Williams, branch manager of Regions Bank in McKenzie, is the new president of the Rotary Club of McKenzie. Williams was installed by District 6760 Governor Darrell Ailshie at a banquet on June 20 at the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Other officers include Ricky Price, Vice President; Jason R. Martin, Secretary; Joe Neumair, Treasurer; Clark Brown, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation; and Ed Perkins, Chairman of the Moore Trust Fund.

During the awards presentation, Armand Hebert was honored as the Oscar Owen Rotarian of the Year. John Adams and Ash Young were honored as the Clark Brown Rotary Champions. Four individuals were recognized as Paul Harris Fellows, Spiros Roditis, Susan Dyer, James Terrell and Savannah Martin.

The outgoing president of the club, Jason R. Martin, thanked the Rotarians for their dedication in the 2023-24 Rotary Year. He noted the club had over 40% growth in membership and had its best Foundation giving year in its 87 years of existence. Martin reminded club members that one year ago he presented his goals: strengthen the McKenzie Rotary Club, grow membership, increase giving and earn bragging rights as the district’s club of the year. He concluded that those goals were met in one way or another but not from his work alone; it was a group effort from every member.

Williams addressed the Rotarians stating her excitement in becoming club president. She stated her goals of continued growth and success for the celebrated club.

The McKenzie Rotary Club hosts fundraisers, including the annual charity auction. All the funds are distributed in the community as part of the club’s Four Areas of Local Service - Affirming the Work of Rotary International, Building Relationships in McKenzie, Committed to Academic Excellence, and Dedicated to Our Youth.

The Club hosts the annual academic honors banquets at McKenzie schools, sells tickets at school football games, provides scholarships to Bethel University and other institutions of higher learning, and sponsors high school students to Rotary Youth Leadership training.

The McKenzie Rotary Club meets each Tuesday at noon at the Vera Low Student Center at Bethel University.