Evening Rotary Club Installs New Officers, Board Members

July marks the new year for Rotary clubs. Outgoing Rotary District Governor Duane Benton recently installed new officers for the Jefferson City Evening Rotary Club. They include: Lora Nelson, president; Harry Richter, D.D.S., vice president; Jim Libey, secretary; Bryan Pope D.D.S., treasurer and Tony Hiesberger and Mulima Walisiku as newly elected members of the board.

Kit Kunce, daughter of club member Jeff Kunce, is leaving Jefferson City on July 26 for a year in Recife, Brazil as a Rotary-sponsored exchange student. This will be Kit's second trip abroad through the efforts of Rotary. She went to Natal, Brazil in 2001 on a short-term exchange of 2 months. On this exchange, Kit will be living with three host families. In preparation for her year in South America, Kit has been studying Portuguese with a tutor in Columbia.
Rotary District Governor R.D. Ross of Columbia honored the club with his first official visit on July 21st, and inducted Jim Libey as a returning member. Governor Ross spelled out the goals of our first Rotary International president fom the continent of Africa --Jonathan B. Majiyagbe of Nigeria.

The RI president has adopted the slogan "Lend a Hand" and is asking the two million Rotarians in 29,800 clubs to diligently strive to focus on health, poverty, literacy and education concerns in their communities. He also asks that each Rotarian be focused on making his or her own family the best possible and to assist fellow Rotarians as part of the global family working together. Ross then presented President the club a banner from President Jonathon that bears the new theme "Lend a Hand".

President Lora Nelson called on committee chairs to give an update. Kevin Keith noted that as soon as the club members are provided an orientation by the Missouri Department of Transportation, the club's signs will be installed by MODot signifying the club's adoption of a two-mile stretch of the new MO 179 in Cole County .

Tony Hiesberger noted that all blood products needed for patients at both Capital Region Medical Center and St. Mary's Medical Center are provided through the Community Blood Center. He encouraged all to support the Rotary Blood Drive next Wednesday and asked that the club members encourage friends and fellow employees to go by the blood center anytime during regular work hours Monday through Fridays. The blood center is located next to the Target Store on West Stadium Blvd.

Suzanne Richter reported that Evening Rotary will be selling flower bulbs as a fall fundraiser.
The Jefferson City Evening Rotary Club meets each Monday at 5:30 at Grace Episcopal Church. Those interested in finding out more about the Evening Rotary club may go to www.jeffcityrotary.org