The Rotary Club of China Lake Everett A. Long Rotarian of the Year committee is pleased and honored to present the Everett A. Long Rotarian of the Year Award to Cheryl Saint-Amand.
As is the Club custom, last year's recipient of the Everett A. Long Rotarian of the Year award, Betty Miller, presented this year's award to Cheryl Saint-Amand at the Club's 2022 Installation and Step-Down dinner. In her speech introducing Cheryl as this years awardee, Past President Miller's said to the assembly of Rotarians and guests:
"This year’s honoree should come as no surprise. This person is a Rotarian through and through with constant demonstration of service above self and support of all areas of service. When this person participates, it is with 110% effort.
You are about to figure this out. This person has served admirably as the Youth Services Director, meeting almost weekly with the Sherman E. Burroughs High School Club and participating in most, if not all of their activities. Additionally, this person has been very active in Club Administration, Club Service, Community Service, and Vocational Service Directorate activities. On top of that, this person works in support of the decoration of the Rotary Rose Parade Float and has made it possible for numerous Rotarians, Interactors, and non-members to participate in that amazing effort.
In her Presidential year, Cheryl Saint-Amand led our club through the COVID-19/Zoom year with passion and commitment in spite of numerous challenges. We all had to learn how to zoom and Cheryl researched how to do it better. She, as President Elect, valiantly tried to have an on-line auction when we had to abruptly cancel our in-person auction in 2020, and then stored all of the items in her home as we ended up with an on-line event in 2021 as well, which she supported wholeheartedly.
She is constantly looking for ways to do it better and make our scholarship dinner and auction the “go to” event for non-profits in Ridgecrest. Her constant searching for, and understanding of “tribal knowledge” has helped many new members grasp what others take for granted.
I followed her closely during her presidency, learning as much as I could. And she has been here for me, encouraging me on. I am so blessed.
Please stand and acknowledge our member of the year-Cheryl Saint Amand."
The Everett A. Long Rotarian of the Year Award began in June 1991 and is presented annually at the Club's Installation Dinner. It is named in honor of Everett Long, the first recipient. The epitome of Service Above Self, Ev served as Club Secretary and Treasurer: twice each. He was the third Paul Harris Fellow in our Club and one of the first Rotary International Foundation Benefactors in District 5240. He helped to charter the Rotary Clubs of Kern River Valley and Inyokern (now Indian Wells Valley). He was our club’s 20th President for Rotary Year 1969-70 and District Governor in Rotary Year 1977-78.
For his award, Ev Long received a beautiful black Onyx clock. From that date on, the Everett A. Long Rotarian of the Year has been presented with a clock in Ev’s name.
A committee composed of the past recipients of this award meet annually to identify and honor a member of the Rotary Club of China Lake who exemplifies the Rotary Motto of Service Above Self, and demonstrates a commitment to Rotary service and participation in club activities.
A club member may only receive this recognition once.