Rotary President Linda Hull holds the ‘Club of the Year’ plaque awarded to the Los Alamos Rotary Club at the annual District Conference last month in Las Cruces. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos brought home a carload of trophies from the recent District Conference in Las Cruces including the prestigious “Club of the Year” for 2012-2013.
“This is extremely exciting news and reflects the District’s recognition of the good work we have done throughout this Rotary year to serve in the Five Avenues of Service: Club, Community, Vocational, International and Youth,” President Linda Hull said. “It also recognizes our membership growth and retention, our visibility in the media, and our support of the Foundation.”
The award is based upon Club membership in three categories:
- Small (29 members or less) 32 Clubs;
- Medium (30-89 members) 31 Clubs; and
- Large (90 or more members) 10 Clubs.
With more than 67 members, the Rotary Club of Los Alamos was honored in the “medium” category.
Out of 71 Clubs, the local Club was one of:
- 37 that responded to serve as conference sponsors;
- 15 that nominated a Local Hero (Bill Hudson) for recognition; and
- 8 who completed the Presidential Citation Award.
For their dedicated and enthusiastic service to the District Youth Exchange Program, Melissa and Rob Metcalf of Los Alamos were awarded the Rick Akins-Dick Jones New Generations Award, the only award given in youth and greatly significant.
With a net of nearly 20 new members this year, the Rotary Club of Los Alamos received the Membership Growth Award for the district.
“It is very rewarding to know that our Community Service both locally and around the world is recognized by our peers in Rotary District 5520, which encompasses the entire state of New Mexico and West Texas ,” Program Chair Skip King said. “There are 71 clubs within our Rotary District. To be recognized as Club of the Year in the medium size category is a great honor not only to our Club, but to our community that assists us with our local projects.”
Hull explained that district officials have been most impressed by the local Club’s design and development of the Los Alamos High School Memorial Garden, its purchase of an AED for Fuller Lodge, its grants forliteracy/education and the fact that the Club recruited 19 new members and launched a Satellite Club this year:STARS (Service To All Rotary Satellite). In addition to the international grant the Club supports for clean water in the highland villages of Guatemala, the Club also undertook a sanitation and education project in the Dominican Republic, addressing the needs of Haitian refugees.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the great group of people who make up our Club and for the incredible support we receive for our service projects from this wonderful community,” Hull said.
The Rotary Club of Los Alamos meets at 11:45 a.m., Tuesdays in the rear dining room of the Dixie Girl Restaurant, 1789 Central Ave., in downtown Los Alamos. The public is always invited to attend. For information about Rotary, contact President Linda Hull, 662-7950.
