6-30-2011 Rotary Club meeting and installation banquet

Rev. Michael Oberlender was installed as the 2011-2012 president of the Rotary Club of Chickasha at the organization's annual installation luncheon Thursday at the USAO ballroom.

Oberlender, pastor of First Christian Church of Chickasha, succeeds Mark Tibbetts as the club's president; Other officers and directors installed Thursday include Cody White, president-elect; Greg Elliott, vice president; Karen Zeist, secretary; Pauline Garrett, treasurer; Mark Tibbetts, past president; and Kory Kirkland and Brad Duvall, directors.

Special guest at the installation luncheon was Rotary Dist. 4770 Governor, Michael Blevins.

Several club members were recognized for their service to the Club during the past year.

Perfect attendance certificates were presented to Peggy Boldt, Charlie Burruss, Pauline Garrett, Elmer Kuntz, Rocky Robertson, Ron Sanders, Mark Tibbetts, Richard Van Dyck and Karen Zeist.

Tibbetts awarded Rotary Service Above Self certificates to Ann Manchester, Ron Sanders, Bill McVey, Jay Foerstch, Cody White, Jerry Mottinger and Jay Epperson.

The Cliff Dochterman  Award was given to Rocky Robertson and Jay Epperson for their work in Rotary and Boy Scouts of America.

Tibbetts recognized the club's 2010-11 officers, Michael Oberlender, president elect; Cody White, vice-president; Karen Zeiset, secretary; Pauline Garrett, treasurer; and directors, George Thomas and Kory Kirkland.

Before turning over the gavel, Tibbetts encouraged members to become more active and to recruit new members who want to join them in community service.

He challenged all Rotarians to not become RINOs -- Rotarians in name only. Oberlender presented Tibbetts with his diamond encrusted past president's pin and a gift of appreciation from the club.

Also at Thursday's luncheon, John Jernigan received his Paul Harris Fellow designation for contributions to the Rotary Foundation.

Tia Murray was inducted as the club's newest member. She received her Rotary pin from sponsor Nancy Smith.

Tia is a native of Chickasha and the mother of three children, ages 20, 11 and 8. She is vice-president of program services for Goodwill Industries of Southwestern Oklahoma.

The meeting opened with a prayer, pledge and song.

Guests include Mrs. Sherman Frederickson and Sharon and Marcine Hall, wife and mother of Rotary David C. Hall Jr.

Prayer concerns Janice McVey, John Feaver, and David Sikes, whose mother is ill.

The meeting concluded with recitation of the Rotary 4-Way Test.