Installation and Awards Banquet June 23, 2016

2016-17 Award and Installation Banquet

The Plant City Rotary Club recently held its Awards and Installation banquet. It was a night of fun and fellowship. It provided an opportunity to recognize members for an outstanding year as well as to install the officers and directors for the 2016-2017 Rotary year. After a social hour and a great dinner at the Lone Palm Country Club, the program began with presentation of some light hearted awards by outgoing president Jeremy Burris. Next awards for perfect attendance were handed out.

Our club had two very successful fundraisers this year. The next item on the program was recognition of the chairmen of those two events.

Jodi Stevens was recognized as the chairman of the Dancing With the Locals fundraiser

and James Surrency and Brian Griffin were recognized as Chairmen of the Wild Game Cookout.

After recognition of the outgoing Board Members: Matt Buzza, Brett Mueller and Jodi Stevens, it was time for special awards. The Rising Star Award is awarded to a new member that has done an exemplary job as a new Rotarian. This year the award went to John Haney.

Next a new award created by President Jeremy Burris, the Work Horse Award, was presented to Doug Watson.

The last special award was Rotarian of the Year. This award goes to a club member that best exemplifies the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self! This year’s recipient was certainly well deserving of the honor. This individual was a board member this year, chaired the Dancing With the Locals event (again), is always one of the first to volunteer and never says no when asked to help. The fact that she was able to do all that while working, being a wife, being a mother of two small children and fighting breast cancer is nothing short of amazing. Our club took great joy in providing the Rotarian of the Year Award to Jodi Stevens!

After recognition of the outgoing officers: Brett Mueller, secretary; Billy Riddle, Sargent at Arms; and Charles Harris, treasurer, the next item on the agenda was installation of this coming year’s President, Officers and Board of Directors. Assistant District Governor (and Plant City Rotarian) Clayton Jenkins was on hand to administer the oath to incoming President Charles Harris

And then to all the other incoming officers and this year’s directors.

Next on the agenda, outgoing President Jeremy Burris made some departing remarks thanking everyone for helping to make this year a successful one.

The event was closed out by newly installed President Charles Harris addressing the club and guests.

President Charles spoke to the club about plans and goals for the coming year. We are looking forward to another successful Rotary year under his guidance. President Charles’s remarks adding the finishing touch to an enjoyable night of Rotary fellowship.

For more photos of the event visit the Rotary Installation Banquet photo album.