Rockwall Rotary installs new officers, presents Service Above Self awards

Dana Macalik gets sworn in as the new Rotary President for 2020-2021 during the club’s Zoom meeting on June 25th.

(ROCKWALL, TX — June 26, 2020) The Rockwall Rotary inducted its new president, directors and officers for 2020-2021 in a virtual Zoom meeting on June 25.

Congrats to the following Rotarians who will take on their new roles for the club:

Dana Macalik – President
Kevin Pate – President Elect
Leslie Buie – Immediate Past President
Robin Chouteau – Secretary
Kathy Howe – Treasurer
Jeremy Neill – Sergeant-at-Arms
Shane Hollas – Director of Club Administration
Gary Vice – Director of Membership
Lauri Dodd – Director of Public Image
Jeff Shell – Director of Service Projects
John Curtis – International Service Director
K.C. Ashmore – Community Service Director
Kyle Mun – Vocational Services Director
Anna Campbell – Youth Services Director
Greg Blair – Rotary Foundation Director
Jim Eastup, Betty Pullman, Lowell Moon, Sr. – Directors at Large
Jessica Metts, Bill Hair, Tiffany Miller, Darby Burky – Club Administration Committee
Tommy Baugh, Mark Kipphut, Tiffany Miller – Membership Committee
Jared Schweers, Bill Hair, Tommy Baugh, Kelly Connel – Public Image Committee
Ginny Ryan — RYLA Chair
Hot Rocks Chair – David Watlington
Tommy Baugh – Clay Shoot Chair
John Curtis – Rotary Foundation
Pete Snyder – Paul Harris Fellows Past District Governor
Harold Snyder – Stewardship

Immediate Past President Leslie Buie presented Rotarian Denise Parks with the Rotarian of the Year award. Club secretary Ginny Ryan and Treasurer Ted Hoisington were recognized for their outstanding service to the community and to the Rotary with Service Above Self awards. Buie earned the Paul Harris Fellows Award, which honors individuals who contribute or make donations of $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation.

Rotary Immediate Past President Leslie Buie addresses Rotarians in a Zoom meeting on June 25th.

Buie praised the Rotary for a successful year of Service Above Self despite tremendous circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club’s biggest fundraiser – Hot Rocks Bike Ride, chaired by Rotarian Scott Self – helped them provide $10,000 scholarships to two local high school seniors. The club welcomed local veterans to share their stories and honor their service to our nation as a part of its new Veterans Recognition program.

When the COVID-19 outbreak impacted local area businesses and charities, Rotarians stepped up to provide much-needed relief to the community. John Curtis and Ana Campbell helped the Rockwall High School Interact Club put on a supplies drive for Women In Need. Rotarian and Edward Jones financial advisor Kelly Connel brought smiles to the faces of senior citizens with fun Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gift baskets.

“We didn’t let COVID-19 stop us from doing what Rotarians do,” Buie said. “We kept identifying needs, and finding unique and innovating ways to fill those needs. Rotarians were made for the type of events like COVID-19. We meet them head on and continue to do what we do in our rendering of ‘Service Above Self.’”

Buie passes the gavel to Dana Macalik, who will serve as Rotary President during an unprecedented time as the world battles against COVID-19. Macalik hopes the focus for the Rotary as they head into the year amid the COVID-19 pandemic will revolve around five things: optimism, crises, adapting, experiences, and growth. Her vision for the club is for Rotarians to invest in their potential, to create experiences that work for every member, and to approach and review new ways of doing things for the better.

“Our world and Rotary clubs have dealt with and overcome crises that have tested our abilities, and we’ve come out on the other side with results and endurance of survival to be proud of,” Macalik said. “It’s my sense that Rotarians have always adapted when confronting challenges, and I don’t think the COVID-19 pandemic is any different. One of the greatest things about Rotary is the in-person fellowship each week that we share, and I know how much I’ve missed this. Yet we adapted to the new normal. With every great challenge is the opportunity for renewal and growth. Because of each of you, I’m encouraged for this coming year. Your optimism, your enthusiasm and your experiences motivate me.”

By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News.

Our print edition is delivered free to ~15,500 homes in Rockwall and Heath, TX.