Rotary Club installs new officers

The Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club hosted its Officer Installation Banquet on June 11 at the Doubletree Hotel.

Club members and guests welcomed speaker Bob Manning, past district governor, and his wife, Jan, past president of the Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club, to an evening celebrating the club’s achievements of 2008-09 and anticipating success during the upcoming Rotary year.

The 2009-10 officers inducted included President-Elect Chuck Braswell, Secretary Brenda Cogdell, Treasurer Karla Gwinn and Sergeant-at-Arms Sam Crisp.

The gavel was passed from 2007-09 President Lank Dunton to Robin Tananis, incoming president for 2009-10. As District 7720 Annual Giving Chairman, Bob Manning encouraged the club to fulfill the last portion of its annual pledge to The Rotary Foundation, and enthusiastic members successfully met this goal.

Sam Crisp received the club’s 2008-09 Rotarian of the Year award in recognition of outstanding service, and club members, officers and guests paid tribute to outgoing President Lank Dunton for his dedication, accomplishments and “Service Above Self” during his two-year term.

At the end of the banquet, Lank Dunton and Foundation Chairman Charles Fisher presided over a special ceremony recognizing eight new Paul Harris Fellows among the club’s membership. The Paul Harris Society, named after Rotary International Founder Paul P. Harris, supports a wide range of humanitarian grants and educational programs internationally.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club was pleased to honor its new Fellows: Bob Barnes, Cecil Capps, Bill Carver, Brenda Cogdell, Lank Dunton, Tony Engrassia, Gary Fazio, and Blake Tharin. Each honoree received a certificate, Rotary pin and medal commemorating induction into the Paul Harris Society.

The Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club regularly meets at 12:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Benvenue Country Club; those interested in community and international service are welcome to visit and learn more about the Nash-Rocky Mount Rotary Club and Rotary International.