The Rotary Club of Jamestown held its annual recognition dinner recently and Lisa Goodell was honored both for her work as the club’s secretary but also as Rotarian of the Year for the third time.

After 14 years as secretary of the organization, Goodell is retiring from the office July 1.

First, Joni Blackman, club foundation chairwoman, presented Goodell with her fourth Paul Harris Fellow Award. Blackman thanked Goodell for her time, talent and treasure to enhance the lives of others. The naming of a Paul Harris Fellow is a tribute to a person who has demonstrated a shared purpose with the educational and humanitarian objectives of the Rotary Foundation. Goodell has shared her expertise and knowledge with every member and helped them acclimate to the environment and goals of the club and Rotary International.

Rotary President Ruth Lundin then Goodell as the club’s Rotarian of the Year for the third time. Goodell joined the club in 2000, sponsored by her soon husband-to-be Andy Goodell. She was quickly named chairman of the Literacy Committee Chair and its annual program chairwoman. In August 2009 she was named as assistant secretary and in June 2010, Goodell received her first Rotarian of the Year Award for stepping forward without hesitation to temporarily perform the duties of secretary of the organization upon the illness of the secretary. That temporary status lasted until 2011, when she was named secretary.

Goodell devoted herself to careful attention, detail and knowledge of “How a Rotary Board Works” for both the Rotary Club and its not-for-profit foundation, providing a long-term perspective to the club’s activities.

Sue Jones, Rotary Historian commented, “Most important is Lisa’s meticulous record-keeping – her ability to recall business decisions of the club and RCJCSF made many years ago and keeping the club on a straight path. She has the ability to weed through discussion and verbiage and record distinct statements of the board bringing them back to light years later when needed. That historical information is extremely helpful to the board as they make their decisions.”

Goodell is not leaving the club, merely standing aside as secretary, and the leadership looks forward to where she will decide to apply her organizational and creative skills in the future.