A year of great growth at the Rotary Club of Woodruff

Kathy and I enjoyed a beautiful drive through rural South Carolina to Woodruff, our 54th official club visit of the year. President Keith Kelly has done a terrific job leading the Rotary Club of Woodruff this year. The club has already increased membership by 10% (2 new members including a younger member who is working on the club web and Facebook sites), and every member of the club agreed to contribute at least $150 annually to The Rotary Foundation. Club secretary Curtis Dillard expressed excitement about taking club members on a field trip to Water Mission International in Charleston for a service project (assist in assembling a water filter). The board also shared about their great service projects -- The Rotary Night of Singing that supports 4 local students at the college of their choice ($800 per semester for up to 8 semesters); the annual Christmas program; and iPast President Theron Willis now teaching English in Korea. Thanks to the new member, Brandon Leonard, the club was able to connect via Skype with IPP Theron Willis in Korea. The Woodruff Rotary Club is clearly on the move and has some great ideas that other clubs in our district could use!

The club meets at the Woodruff Leisure Center, a great facility for a club of 20 members. We enjoyed a great meal catered at a local restaurant and brought each week to the club by Notable Rotarians Pat Taylor and Ron Dean. President Keith had the club's aging banner thoroughly dry cleaned last year, and each member had a professional badge with their name and classification. The meeting was well run and finished exactly on time despite a slightly long-winded District Governor presentation!

I was pleased to present certificates to Notable Rotarian Ron Dean and Pat Taylor.  Ron Dean has been a member of the club since 1999 and served as club president in 2009-2010. Ron is an investment advisor, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and is married to Ava. Pat Taylor has been a member since 2004, served as past club president, and works as the office manager for a local water utility company. She is married to Bob, and they have two married sons.  Pat cooks a homemade dessert every week to accompany the catered meal brought to the club by Ron. Both Ron and Pat have done this yeoman's work for years without recognition! I am so pleased to be able to recognize these valuable members of the Woodruff Rotary Club!