Rotary District Governor Visits McKenzie Club

McKENZIE (September 24) — The Rotary Club of McKenzie welcomed District Governor Darrell Ailshie to the weekly meeting on September 24 at Bethel University.

Governor Ailshie thanked members of the local service club for serving their community and for being active supporters of the district organization and Rotary International.

McKenzie club formed in 1937 with Charlie Covington has its first president. It is the second oldest club in District 6760 ranging from Middle Tennessee to Northwest Tennessee. The local club was the first to induct women into the club and also had the first African-American member in the district. Today, the local club has approximately 30 members and is considered a medium-size club in the District. Club sizes range from 200 to just four to six members in the smallest club.

DG Ailshie said Rotary is designed for each club to have autonomy in support of its local community while supporting the humanitarian efforts of Rotary International. McKenzie Rotary supports the local schools by sponsoring honors banquets, donating to school sporting organizations, and supporting Bethel University. The Fannie Baxter Moore Trust Fund is administered by the Rotary Club. It provides assistance to worthy, needy individuals in the McKenzie area.

Internationally, Rotary is the largest supporter of Polio-Plus, an international effort to eradicate polio throughout the world. The local club participates in the international effort by raising money each year in its local initiative known as the Demetra Perkins Polio Plus campaign. Demetra was a beloved school teacher at McKenzie Elementary School and beautifully dealt with her childhood affliction of polio.

Other international projects include: providing clean water to people of the world who lack clean, potable water; working to provide educational opportunities for students who wish to study abroad. This year’s initiatives include working to provide mental health services and empowering women, who are often repressed.

Ed Perkins, the longest serving member of the local service club, was recognized for his service as a former district governor of Rotary.