Outgoing Rotary President Katie Geise was presented a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of her tremendous commitment and service to the Club and Rotary International. From left are Joni Blackman, President-Elect; Geise; Lisa Goodell, Secretary; and Cheri Krull, newly installed President.

The Rotary Club of Jamestown recently held its installation banquet at Moon Brook Country Club.

Katie Geise, 2018-19 club president, began the program with a list of club achievements in the past year.

The members held three fundraisers; partnered with The Resource Center to sponsor and fund Camp Onyahsa for developmentally disabled children and adults; conducted mock interviews for Jamestown High School career education students; performed three highway cleanups on Interstate 86 at Exit 12; funded a Rotary Music Scholarship for a student studying at Chautauqua Institution; volunteered for the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign; provided monetary support for the JHS A’Capella; sponsored two out-going and two in-coming Exchange students; donated $2,500 to the Cambodia Academy to remodel bathrooms; built a cafeteria for young people in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; hosted 40 exchange students from Western New York and Canada for a spring weekend; sponsored two local students to attend SLAPSHOT; conducted weekly meetings with program speakers that enriched the lives of club members and promoted fellowship; presented many Paul Harris Fellow Awards; sponsored an exhibit at the National Comedy Center and ended the year with a gala celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary.

The outgoing president thanked the officers and board members as well as all of the committee chairman who served during her tenure. She presented Chautauqua Lake sweatshirts to the outgoing exchange students Petra Sucic, from Croatia, and Milkho Studenko Bordon from Paraguay.

Outgoing exchange students Sydney Chau and Sydney Wendel were awarded Brenda Morrow Memorial Scholarships to help defray costs in preparation for their trips abroad.

Geise presented the Distinguished Service Award plaque to Sue Jones, board member and club historian, in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to the club. Jones researched and compiled the 100th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet.

Geise awarded Lisa Goodell with the Rotarian of the Year honor for always being there to do anything needed. Geise said Goodell was invaluable to the president during her term.

Cheri Krull, president-elect, presented Geise with her past president’s pin and in appreciation for her significant work leading the club during this special year, Geise received a Paul Harris Fellow Award. Other mementos were given to the outgoing president in thanks for a job well done. She received an elephant to add to her collection and a memory book of photos taken at events throughout the year.

Joelle Washer, immediate past president, then led the installation of the president, new officers and directors of the board. The Rotary Club of Jamestown’s 2019-20 officers and board members are as follows: Cheri Krull, president; Joni Blackman, president-elect; Kevin Sixbey, vice president; Russ Webb, treasurer, Christy Brecht, RCJCSF treasurer; Lisa Goodell, secretary; and Katie Geise, immediate past president. Board members include: Denise Jones, Sue Jones and Randy Sweeney 2020; Lisa Yaggie 2021; and Chris Anderson and John Healy 2022.

The Rotary Club of Jamestown meets every Monday at noon at the Robert H. Jackson Center and welcomes new members.