18 Jul 2016 Conway Morning Rotary celebrates 25th anniversary

“Time flies when you are having fun” was the topic among those who celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Conway Morning Rotary Club at the recent annual “Un-Banquet.”

The auspicious event was held at the home of Carolyn and Jimmy Ishee.

It seems that the Conway Morning Rotary Club was birthed out of need. J.D. Gingerich, then a member of the Conway Noon Rotary Club, had a new job in Little Rock and wanted to be able to still attend his Rotary meetings in Conway, so he took on the arduous task of chartering a new club. He and several others spent a better part of 1991 getting the new charter off the ground.  The goal was to have 25 new members. After a few lonely meetings, the Conway Morning Rotary Club began to take shape. The charter and club were established with the help and guidance of several members of the Conway Rotary Club.

There were a few “cultural traits” important to the formation of the Club. First and foremost was a charge to “have fun.” The Un-Banquet was named such because of club members’ aversion to anything formal and stuffy.

Secondly was a charge to have a club with a reputation of diversity. The Club was chartered with many women and African American members. Those “cultural traits” remain important to the Club. The laughter emanating from the President’s Dining Room at the University of Central Arkansas each Tuesday morning is a testament to the cultural trait of having fun.

In addition to the celebration of the 25th anniversary at the Un-Banquet, Club President Pamela Woodard George recognized members and community leaders with various awards.   

•    Aimee Prince, director of development at Bethlehem House, was awarded the 2016 Outstanding Community Leader Award for upholding Rotary’s values through outstanding professional and community service.

•    Paul Harris Fellow recognitions, honoring individuals who meet high professional and personal standards set forth by Rotary founder Paul Harris, were bestowed on several charter members who are still active in the club: Mary Kay Dunaway, Alice Hines, Carolyn Ishee, Joyce Miller and Linda Tyler. Rotarian Debbie Turner also received the Paul Harris Fellow recognition for her exceptional service as the club’s treasurer.

•    Attendance at weekly meetings fosters deeper commitment to achieving Rotary’s goals and deepening the ties of fellowship among members. Two charter members, Claudia Davis and Mary Kay Dunaway, received awards for 25 years of perfect attendance. Several other members also received attendance awards.

•    Bill DeVore was recognized for his service this year as District Governor, Rotary District 6170.

•    Steve Floyd was recognized by club members for the second year in a row as the club’s “Rotarian of the Year.” Floyd served as chair of the service projects and fundraising committee. Three of the club’s larger projects were providing dictionaries to third-graders in the Conway, Mayflower and Vilonia school districts; spring cleanup at Cadron Settlement Park; and support of Stewards of Children training to prevent child sexual abuse.

The Conway Morning Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. every Tuesday in the President’s Dining Room in Christian Cafeteria at UCA. Guests are welcome.