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History of Muscogee Rotary
by Jim Irvin
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Guest speakers during the 1992-1993
Rotary year included Phenix City Mayor Sonny Coulter, Judge John
Laney, Jon Frederick Nielson, GRSP student from Norway and a football
prognostication presented by Ben Cheek and featuring "experts"
from UGeorgia, Tech, Alabama and Auburn University. Laurent Buffeteau
and Mike Stone, Liaison officers from France and England respectively,
gave programs to the club and both subsequently became members,
adding a true international flavor to Muscogee Rotary.
History was made in 1993-1994 by the
young club in the installation of the first female president of
a Rotary Club in Columbus. Joan Burks, Senior Vice-President of
Blue Cross/Blue Shield was installed on July 1, 1993. Women had
only been allowed membership in Rotary since 1987, the result
of a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court of the
United States. Muscogee was the first Rotary club in Columbus
to have women members and listed several in the ranks of its founding
membership.
The officers for '93-'94 in addition
to Joan were Jim Irvin, president-elect, Ann Henderson, vice-president,
Bob Andrews, secretary and Al Stewart, treasurer. Bud Reed continued
as sergeant-at-arms. The directors were Jimmy Roddy, LInda Sanders,
Allen Kerr and Carolyn Marlow-Nelson.
District Governor Bill Stubbs' visit
to Muscogee Rotary came early in the Rotary year, on July 29,
and President Joan was off to a fast paced start. Bulletin editor
Alice Robertson encouraged all Rotarians to attend the club assembly
to brief the governor on the clubs plans for the upcoming year.
Under President Joan, a new project
to recognize the Muscogee County Vocational Teacher of the Year
was implemented and spearheaded by South Bryan. Also in the area
of vocational service, the club took part in the Rothschild Middle
School's career day. Members gave talks to the students and answered
(sometimes very personal) questions regarding their varied professions.
During vocational service month in October, members sponsored
a table at a regular club meeting distributing literature and
small gifts from their businesses.
On August 28, immediate Past President
Mark Kamensky and his wife Amanda hosted a barbeque at his country
estate in Box Springs, Georgia. Members were treated to horseback
riding, a shooting competition and a hay ride. Also in the social
arena, members attended the second Las Vegas night of dining and
gambling at the Ft. Benning Officers club. The club Christmas
party, organized by Laura Lowe and Tracy Sayers, was held at the
Harmony Club on December 10.
October 22, 1993, marked the passing
of Gale Peabody, chairman of the extension committee and a guiding
light in the founding of Muscogee Rotary.
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