MOUNT VERNON — The Kokosing Valley Rotary Club held its installation of officers on June 27 at The Mount Vernon Inn on West High Street.
Terry Rataiczak, District Rotary Foundation chair and member of the Marietta Rotary Club, administered the oaths of office.
Kelly Welker took the reins as president. Board members supporting her include Mike Pryjda, president-elect; Brian Ball, Foundation chair; Taffy Frazer, treasurer; and Jane Fricke, secretary.
“You’re growing, good things are happening, and it’s all about service,” Rataiczak told the group.
He recognized the Kokosing Valley members who achieved the $125 Award, reflecting their donation of $100 to Rotary’s annual fund and $25 to the PolioPlus fund. Fighting polio is Rotary International’s signature project.
“You have seven that joined. In a small club, that is a huge deal,” Rataiczak said.
Two members, Fricke and Sara Mankins, became Paul Harris Fellows for their $1,000 contributions to The Rotary Foundation. Larry and Sarah Reed received the Service Above Self award.
Active participation
The past year was a busy one for KVRC members. Involvement ranged from donating peace poles to city parks to providing interview outfits for individuals coming out of recovery. Other activities included:
•Action: passed out candy to more than 1,000 children for trick-or-treat, toured McDonald’s Toy Museum, and adopted a highway for litter cleanup
•Service: donated to Mount Vernon’s bee pollinator program, collected clothing and hygiene products, donated $800 to a Zambia water project, held blood drives, and donated $5,000 to the city’s splash pad and park improvements
•Education: participated in a mental health forum to help reduce stigma, learned the importance of trade schools as an option for graduating high school students, and presented “Josh the Baby Otter,” a water safety program, to elementary school students
“We had a fantastic year. We did a lot of fun things. But we did not do the skydiving,” outgoing president Fricke said.
“We have 100% of our members participating in a project. Not every project is for everyone, but everyone has a project,” she continued. “You have stepped up. I am so proud to have been your president.”
“I have enjoyed being part of your journey, finding your way outside of the four walls of your club,” Rataiczak told the club.
Rotary spans the globe with 1.4 million members worldwide participating in more than 38,000 clubs. The service club has members in 226 countries.
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