Rotary Club hosts annual banquet, elects new officers

The proverbial "passing of the torch" took place on Thursday night, as the Kennett Rotary Club held its annual banquet at the First Presbyterian Activity Center, ushering in the officers for the 2009-2010 session.

Following a dinner, catered by Mike's Meats and More of New Madrid, Mo., outgoing Club President Jerry Noble thanked everyone for attending as he introducing guests and new members.

For his final act as president, Noble presented perfect attendance pens to several members, including Gaylon Mullins, one year; Danny Ray, one year; Randy Morgan, three years; Don Wall, 11 years; Terry Berry, 14 years; Steve McElwrath, 14 years; Dr. "Woody" Soonattrakul, 18 years; and Carl Williams, 21 years.

Following the perfect attendance pin presentations, Club Secretary Leah Mobley introduced the officers for the 2009-2010 session and presented them with their officer pens.

Officers for the 2009-2010 session include Matt Mobley, sergeant-at-arms; Gaylon Mullins, Treasurer; Leah Mobley, secretary, Jonathan Mays, president-elect; and Danny Ray, president.

After Ray accepted his pen, he turned to Noble and presented him with a "Past President" pin. Then with a handshake and a "congratulations," Noble passed the president's gavel to Ray.

Ray then took the podium, saying a few words about the club and his new position.

Ray said that a year ago, following his acceptance of the president-elect position, his wife asked him if he knew what he was getting himself into, to which he replied, "Yeah, I think so."

The new president said two months later, after he began taking online classes and attending other events, he began to ask himself, "What have I gotten myself into."

Then, at a president-elect meeting at Farmington, Mo., Ray said someone came up to him and mentioned the theme for the 2009-2010 session, "The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands." At that moment, Ray said his first thought was "WHOA!"

He then said to himself, "Here is your chance. It is put in front of you. Let's do it."

"With Rotary Club, I got to thinking [about] how many lives it touches, what it is like, and how it effects the community," Ray said, adding that he then realized how astonishing it is that so much can be accomplished when people come together."

Ray then said he was initially a little worried about the new position, but he realized if you can light a fire in one person, "You have done what you are supposed to do."

The new president then gave his goal for the new session, "My goal for Rotary is to keep what we have got going, but take it to the next step -- whatever that may be."

Ray then held the ceremonial "Sounding of the Gavel," signifying the beginning of the next session of the Rotary Club.