Rayne Rotary Club installs officers, honors members at banquet

The Rotary Club of Rayne’s new president for the coming year was recognized as the hardest working Rotarian of the past year during the club’s recent installation banquet.
Drusella “Rose” Schexnider, who chaired the club’s inaugural 5-K “Rotary Day” Run and was active in a number of other activities throughout 2015-16, was presented the “Rotarian of the Year” award by outgoing President Ken Arceneaux at the climax of the banquet held Thursday, June 23, at Chef Roy’s Frog City Café.
An obviously surprised Schexnider, who would later in the evening be installed as the sixth president of the local Rotary Club, said she couldn’t have done it without the help of club members, specifically naming Cynthia Beslin, Cynthia Oliver and Kyle Broussard, who she called to the podium to share her recognition.
Along with Schexnider, 2016-17 officers include Natasha Domagalski, president-elect; Steve Bandy, vice president; Cheryl Rivette, treasurer; DeBorah Smith, secretary; Celeste Touchet, sergeant-at-arms; and Claire Benoit and Jared Lawless, directors.
Broussard also was recognized for his efforts during the past year, namely with the club’s ongoing project at the Veteran’s Home in Jennings and for his work during the club’s participation at Festival International this year.
Broussard was presented the “Service Above Self” award in recognition of his “always being there,” said Arceneaux.
The “Distinguished Service Award,” presented annually to someone outside the club who, though not a Rotarian, exemplifies the “Service Above Self” motto of Rotary International, this year went to Lt. Allen “Noochie” Credeur of the Rayne Police Department.
“He’s a coach, he’s a police officer, he’s a firefighter ... it doesn’t matter where you go, he’s there,” said Arceneaux in lauding Credeur’s “unbelievable commitment” to community and, particularly, the youth of the community.
In a brief “thank you” address, Credeur noted that, through his work with DARE, CHOICES and as a coach, he has the opportunity to work with many young children.
“This generation is changing and we’re going to have to put a grasp on it,” he told the Rotarians. “A lot of parents are not parents anymore, they want to be their kids’ ‘best friends.’ We have to change that.”
He added that the recognition from Rotary “means a lot to me” and urged members to continue their good community work.
Serving as the installing officer Thursday night was District 6200 Governor Mike Hayes of Lake Charles.
Reflecting briefly on his past year as D.G., Hayes said he was particularly impressed by one of the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) campers sponsored by the Rayne club.
Lindsey “Lovable Lindsey” Runner, was one of the first-ever group of campers certified as “Peace Advocates” this year.
Hayes said he “always enjoys visiting” the Rayne club because “this club epitomizes Rotary’s values and is truly an example of what Rotary is all about — serving humanity.”
Hayes went on to acknowledge outgoing president Arceneaux for his efforts during the past year, noting that the Rayne club was one of only five in the 49-club district this year to earn the prestigious Presidential Citation, “a reflection of this man’s leadership and your commitment to that leadership.”
Arceneaux responded by acknowledging the club as a whole for the year’s success.
“It warms my heart on Thursday mornings when I look at the meeting room and, of the 25 to 30 members, we always have 80 to 85 percent attendance,” he said. “There’s a commitment and a camaraderie that has developed that has allowed us to accomplish a lot of our goals.”
In closing, Arceneaux quoted the late Muhammad Ali: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”
“That is what epitomizes this club,” Arceneaux said.
Schexnider, in accepting the gavel from Arceneaux, said she had been studying and preparing for this moment for the past two years.
“I hope I can step into the big footsteps of the past presidents,” she said.
Schexnider said she has already been working on a two-year strategy plan with President-elect Natasha Domagalski.
“I want us to remain a vital club,” she said.
In closing his final meeting as president, Arceneaux admitted that the night’s banquet was “bittersweet” for him.
“I hope I made it fun. I hope I made it interesting,” he said. “Let’s go forward and increase membership and increase our service to the community.”
]Other award presented during the night’s banquet included:
•-Treasurer’s Award to Cheryl Rivette, who has served as treasurer of the club since its inception and was re-elected to the position.
•-Secretary’s Award to Cynthia Beslin, who served as club secretary for the past two years.
•-Past-President’s Award to Arceneaux.
•-Perfect Attendance Awards as follows:
--17 years: Nick Simoneaux;
--12 years: Bob Landry;
--5 years: Steve Bandy, Fran Bihm, Kyle Broussard, Jimmy Fontenot, Troy Kibodeaux, Jared Lawless and Cheryl Rivette;
--4 years: Ken Arceneaux;
--3 years: Abby Guidry and Rose Schexnider;
--2 years: Cynthia Oliver and Sam Ratanji; and
--1 year: Cynthia Beslin and Celeste Touchet.