Deborah Erickson was installed as president of the Brainerd Rotary (noon) Club June 24, receiving the gavel from outgoing President Brad Person in a special program at the Blue Room in Brainerd.
Mike Sands is the new president-elect and Jeff Torfin is president-nominee. Denny Doucette was named Rotarian of the Year and Rick zumBrunnen is the new president of the local Brainerd Rotary Foundation.
Gene Haverkamp (new generations) and Dan Brown (club service) were elected to the board of directors. Other directors on the board are Richard Slieter (international service), Liz Csanda (community service and fundraising) and Andy Rangen (public relations).
Stacie Bednarek is the new club secretary and Bill Potvin is club treasurer.
In addressing the club at the change of gavel ceremony, Erickson commented on the theme for next year set by Rotary International President Gary C.K. Huang of Tapei, China, to "Light Up Rotary." The theme notes If each local Rotarian lights their own candle through their actions and service and is joined by 1.2 million other Rotarians worldwide, together they can light up the world and bring about positive changes.
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As part of "Light Up Rotary" at the local level, Erickson said she set a goal of bringing a greater local public awareness to the things Rotary is doing both here in our community and internationally.
