Rotarians celebrate year, install officers

After a year of projects and a district conference, you would have thought the Rotary Club of Crowley would have opted for an easy banquet Wednesday night.
That wasn’t the case. With the backdrop of the Grand Opera House, Rotarians welcomed music from Trevin Trahan during its cocktail social prior to the banquet and were eager to enjoy the night with flair.
“Tonight is a night of celebration,” Crowley Rotarian and District 6200 Gov. Ezora Proctor said later in the evening.
It was a night to acknowledge the many who had put in a great deal of work throughout the year on the various projects in which the club participated. The club also installed its new officers in attendance.
As the festivities of the 95th Installation Banquet of the Rotary Club of Crowley got under way, Club President Mary Zaunbrecher called upon her fellow club members to continue their hard work and generosity in the coming year.
“The possibilities and opportunities to serve others are endless,” she said.
“This year’s (Rotary International) theme is ‘Be a gift to the world’. My hope for the coming year is that each of you continue to be generous with your time and continue to seek ways to help those in need. Our lives can become gifts to the world.”
The club then was able to enjoy a three-course meal and continue its camaraderie ahead of the installation, acknowledgements, presentations and awards.
First up was Proctor who, after taking a few moments to thank the club and a few special people for much hard work this year, turned her attention to the new officers and installed those in attendance.
Officers installed Wednesday night were President Pat Miers, President-Elect Tracy Young, Secretary Susan Comeaux, Treasurer Debbie Spallino and members of the Board of Directors Peggy Sandidge (who will serve 2015-16) Suzy Webb and Kirk Schexnider (who will serve 2015-17) and Michael Doughty (who will serve 2015-18).
Several others were elected to serve but were unable to attend the banquet and will be installed, officially, at a later date. These included, Sergeant-at-Arms Mike McBride and members of the Board of Directors Brent Benson (who will serve 2015-16) and Sprague Williams (who will serve 2015-18).
Acknowledgements and recognitions began next with Zaunbrecher and outgoing Secretary Melinda Malmay applauding the members with perfect attendance throughout the year, some with many years of perfect attendance.
These people included Paul Broussard (20 years), Proctor and Breaux (15 years), Elliot Doré (13 years), Rev. James Proctor (seven years), Zaunbrecher (five years), M’Elise Trahan and Sandidge (three years), John N. John, Gerald Dill, Isabella delaHoussaye and Georgie Petitjean (two years) and Malmay (one year).
Zaunbrecher continued by giving special thanks, and a token of appreciation, to her outgoing officers— Malmay and Breaux.
She also presented Proctor with a plaque for her work as district governor and had awards of appreciation for the club’s outgoing board members, Becky Lamm and Jill Signorelli.
Awards were also presented to several Rotarians who went “above and beyond” throughout the year. As Zaunbrecher pointed out there were so many that could have been given the distinguished citations, appropriately called the “Service Above Self” Awards, but the hard work of program organizers, bulletin creators and those who were heavily involved throughout the year were acknowledged with the awards.
They included Schexnider, Barbara Meyer, Bertha Mire, Carolyn Barousse, Trahan, Sadndige, Webb, Jeannine LeJeune, Sandy Melancon, Signorelli and Amy Thibodeaux.
Service Awards were presented to Community Service chairs, Scott Privat (Club Service), Malmay (Community Service), Thibodeaux (Vocational Service), Comeaux (International Service) and Adrianne Vidrine (Youth Service).
As the night drew to a close, a few items remained. First, an emotional Young presented the club with a new gavel with an inscription to honor the Rotarians that had passed away.
“I come before you, my fellow Rotarians, to present you a gift ... A gift that will serve as a reminder of Rotarians that have passed on,” he said.
Zaunbrecher also presented the Rotarian of the Year Award to Adrianne Vidrine.
“Adrianne, as you know, is just always there,” she said. “She wrote grants, she was at every service organization, she was at the schools for the nutrition and literacy program.
“I just felt she was well-deserving of this honor.”
The banquet was then turned over to the club’s new president who offered a few remarks before the close.
“Mary Zaunbrecher, I don’t have to tell you, but this is going to be a hard act to follow, my only consolation is that I know you will have my back,” said Miers to the outgoing presdient.
Miers then turned her attention to the new year.
“All I can say is, I’ll give it my best shot. Thank you.”