Work lies ahead for Rotarians in new club year

Heads of Rotary Club of Crowley committees and subcommittees reported on the 2013-14 club year’s success before taking a look forward into 2014-15.

Club leaders such as President Mary Zaunbrecher alerted the club that not only will the club look to build on last year, but also reminded the Rotarians that they will host District 6200 conference — the Festival of Rotary — in April 2015 as Crowley is home to District 6200 Governor Ezora Proctor.

Early bird registration is open at this time for Rotarians through Aug. 16.

The reports began with Peggy Sandidge discussing Miss Helen’s Soup Kitchen and the hard work the club members have done with volunteering.

The club also continues to provide support to The Welcome House, including the pre-Thanksgiving dinner, and completed work on a library at the local prison.

It was announced that the club will continue its annual school supply drive as it has been successful the first two years.

The club also will continue its participation in the Career EXPO for the parish’s 10th and 12th graders.

Sandidge remarked that she hopes to see the club continue its booth spot at the EXPO as well as it provided them the chance to meet with local students and introduce them to RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). It was at the Career EXPO last year that several students were introduced to RYLA and initially signed up for consideration.

Club Secretary Melinda Malmay announced the club will once again help the city for the Cleanest City  Contest.

Zaunbrecher talked briefly about Dancing With the Stars and the Christmas auction. Zaunbrecher reminded the Rotarians that the Christmas Social auction helps the club provided three annual scholarships – one each to graduating seniors from Crowley High, Northside Christian and Notre Dame High schools.

Lee Lawrence assured the club that it will continue to press forward in helping Rotary International’s PolioPlus Foundation eradicate the world of polio.

Zaunbrecher announced a new small initiative the club will be doing at its meetings.

The “20 second brag” gives local Rotarians the chance to report good news in a short amount of time with a maximum of five brags per meeting. The brag money will be put toward PolioPlus, according to Zaunbrecher.

Elliot Doré explained the Rotary Foundation to the club, including the newer members that may or may not have been aware of the foundation’s services. The Crowley club donates money to the foundation each year. The club gets the money back in the form of grants, as Doré explained.

The Rotary Club of Crowley will also look toward honoring its Paul Harris Fellows this fall with a banquet.

Looking forward to the new club year, Sandidge discussed that she would like to see the club do more for The Welcome House outside of just the pre-Thanksgiving dinner and the club also is looking to continue to add new members.