The Marion-East Cedar Rapids Rotary had its Recognition night for the 2019-2020 year and transitioned to the new 2020-2021 Rotary Year on Monday, Jul6 at Indian Creek Country Club. It has been a very unusual year led through it by President Tracey Koenig and the Board. As Tracey remembered members who passed away or had health issues who could not join us regularly or as the Covi-19 pandemic caused us to meet in new ways and canceled fundraising and service opportunities as well as our experimental evening Club spinning off to join the Mt. Vernon Club to form a new Linn County Iowa Rotary Club, it was a challenging year in unpredictable ways. Tracey recognized Craig Novak for his 19 years of service as our Club Secretary. Craig in turn presented perfect attendance awards to several members and some with significant consecutive years .
Tracey also recognized this year's Service Above Self Award to Greg Hapgood who dealt this year with various health issues but as he has done for several years hung in there with a smile, good humor and encouragement to other Rotarians in our Club and throughout District 5970. Tracey also presented the Rotarian of the Year Award to Kesha Billings who helped in support and leadership through this challenging year.
The culmination of the night was the official handing the gavel to Kesha Billings who is the 2020-2021 President of our Club. The year begins with many unforeseen challenges however Kesha is up to the task with the support of our Club as we share Rotary in MECR Rotary style. Thank you Tracey for all your work this year for the Club while transitioning at work to a new building and look forward to your continued guidance as Past President.