John Wied - 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Rotarians don’t serve in order to be recognized. But when a person serves well, it’s bound to be noticed.

 

“Service Above Self is more than a motto to John Wied,” says La Grange Rotary Club president Don Jones.

 

Wied was named to the Rotary District 5870 Roll of Fame at the district’s annual conference May 23-25, 2014, held at La Torretta del Lago Resort on Lake Conroe.

 

“Induction into the Roll of Fame is the highest award conferred” by the Rotary district, which comprises 62 clubs in the Austin-Waco area, “and is intended to recognize those Rotarians who have distinguished themselves by outstanding service to their clubs, communities, and District 5870,” the organization says.

 

Wied is only the eighth La Grange Rotarian to be included on the roll since its establishment in 1958. Weldon Chambers in 1966 was the first from La Grange to be honored in this way. The only other current La Grange Rotarian on the roll is Milton Schmidt, named to it in 1987.

 

“John has been an outstanding example of service in every possible way,” said Jones, who nominated Wied for the award. “Every time we do a highway trash clean-up, John is there. Every year when we set up the booth to cook hamburgers at the county fair, John is leading the way. He sets the example, and he makes it fun to join him in service.”

 

Now retired from a career as the elected county attorney, Wied has twice served as president of the La Grange club, in 1985-86 and in 2003-04.

Wied and his wife Joyce, along with Jones and immediate past president Chuck Mazac, attended the district conference where the award was presented.

 

“So far as the club itself is concerned, John has really distinguished himself as membership chair the past few years,” Jones commented.

 

The club has had a net membership gain for the past four years in a row, one of only two clubs in the district to achieve this record. It’s steadily increased from 49 members in January 2010 to 75 in January 2014.

 

Rotary is a worldwide association of business, professional and community leaders who share the belief that by working together, they build better communities and a better world. The La Grange club is currently celebrating its 60th year of service and leadership in the local community. It was charted by Rotary International in May 1954.