March 10, 2008

Invocation and Pledge: Allan  Tucker

Attendance: There were 61 members present (17 exempt, 0 honorary), and 141 (39 exempt, 9 honorary) absent.         

Guests and Visitors: Banquet guests, mostly spouses,  outnumbered members by four persons.  Special guests included spouses of late former presidents, community award winners, and Rotary Youth Exchange host families.

Proposed Members
Margaret Estes has been approved by the membership committee with a classification of Education/Administration.  She was nominated by Bill Parrish.

Bill Ford has been approved with a classification of Computer and Information Systems.  He was nominated by Briar Jones.

2008 Awards Banquet
Club names OLDEST ROOKIE AND YOUNGEST Paul Harris fellow

Tom Knecht and Gerry Orgler - Service Above Self
Service Above Self. Tom Knecht, above left, was cited for his club service as attendance chair, board member, and Web site developer. Gerry Orgler was recognized for her service in developing our awards banquets for the past several years. Bobby Crosland also was recognized for his organizing the first two years of the fall social.

Mark Guyton and Brent Fountain - Cliff Dochterman Award
Cliff Dochterman Award.  Mark Guyton’s distinguished Scouting career was recognized by previous recipient Brent Fountain on behalf of  the International Fellowship of Scouting Rotarians. Guyton chairs our Boy Scout committee and serves in numerous Pushmataha Area Council roles.

Claire Crawford, Robbie Ward, Ed Clynch and Ned Browning - Community Service Awards
Community Service Awards. Claire Crawford, above from left, was named a Paul Harris Fellow for her Claire’s Bears service to children with cleft palates. The Starkville High junior had returned the day before from working with Operation Smile in the Philippines. Robbie Ward, second from left, who spearheaded the Johnny Cash Flower Pickin’ Festival also was named a Fellow. His citation noted that the festival had garnered worldwide publicity for the community. Joining the honorees are Ed Clynch, awards chair, and Ned Browning, president.

Roy Ruby and Ann Mitchell - John Mitchell Rookie of the Year
John Mitchell Rookie of the Year. Roy Ruby, left, receives his Rookie award from Ann Mitchell, past president. Mitchell noted that John, her late husband and past district governor, strongly valued the type of Rotary fellowship that Ruby’s weekly humor moments build. Mitchell also was recognized with a rose bouquet for her club service as she leaves the community for Birmingham.

Loren Zimmerman and Larry Mullins - Distinguished Service and Rotarian of the Year
Distinguished Service and Rotarian of the Year.  Loren Zimmerman, left, was recognized for distinguished service in guiding the Club’s first major service fund-raiser, the Rotary Classic PRCA Rodeo, through its first two formative years. Larry Mullins, right, was named Rotarian of the Year for his continued development of the innovations started under his presidential leadership in 2006—2007.