1997-1998 Club History/Activities

For  our club, which counted 115 members as of June 30, 1997, this  was a year of “firsts.”  On August 1, 1997, Lee Hughes, the club’s first executive director, was hired.  A member of our club, Wilson Blake, for the first time was the director of the Rotary District Youth Leadership Conference held at the Memphis Marriott Hotel in the spring of ‘98.For the first time, two members were named  Rotarians of the Year – Nita Hurdle and Norris McGehee.  The club began its first academic scholarship program with two $1,000 scholarships awarded to Craigmont Interact Club members Allison Urschel and Fanta Gibson.  Steve Redden designed the club’s first web page which was a winner in the “Best of the Rotary Web” contest for 1997.  At the district convention held in Tunica, Mississippi, the club received its first Communications award for the web page and weekly newsletter, the Bulletin.  The first annual New Members Reception was held at the Junior League House.

Ms. Marlen King was named Teacher of the Year, and the Georgia Avenue adopt-a-school program received the award for the most outstanding community service project at the district convention. Michael Bruns of Comtrak  Corporation  was named  East Memphis Rotary Citizen  of the Year. John S. Seabold and Marguerite Malone became Paul Harris Fellows.  The Group Study Exchange members visited from Mexico with a dinner party hosted by Marguerite Malone.  Members participated in a new international service project for 35 students from the Danish commercial college, Svendorg Handelsskole, who  were attending State Tech  for the ‘97 fall semester.  The Holiday Gala was held at the Adams Mark Hotel, and the spring social was held  at the Wonders Exhibit, Ancestors of the Incas,  at the Pyramid.  Membership on June 30, 1998, was 122.