Bob Hammerschmidt introduced him on July 20. His co-sponsor is Lisa Odom.

An advocate for community health for more than 35 years, Jay joined Jordan Valley Community Health Center in 2016 as vice president of administration after serving at Mercy Hospital for more than 30 years, most recently as senior vice president and chief operating officer.

The annual Rotary Volunteer Award is our Club’s highest local honor, recognizing community service rendered outside Rotary activities.  The winner for the 2016 - 17 Rotary year is Angela Smith, pictured at the left with Barbara Lucks on June 29, 2017.

Those of us who serve or seek to recruit others to serve often speak of one giving of one’s time, talent, or treasure. Most frequently, recognition is offered to those who serve by giving their treasure. Sometimes, recognition is given to those whose service takes the form of giving the precious gift of their time. And, somewhat less frequently, we hear a “Thank you” offered to one whose service represents the use of a special skill or talent.

Angela has given freely of her time, talent, and treasures.

Angela's extensive community service resume includes leadership roles in a diverse collection of organizations, including:
-- Lost and Found Grief Center
-- Home Builders Association
-- Boys and Girls Club
-- Springfield Public Schools Foundation
-- American Red Cross
-- Springfield Little Theatre
-- Ozark Empire Fair Foundation
-- and others.

Angela has also used the special talents and skills of her company's staff to benefit many organizations and causes, including:
-- American Cancer Society
-- Alzheimer’s Association
-- Ronald McDonald House charities
-- Pregnancy Care Center
-- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America
-- Springfield Ballet
-- National Alliance of Mental Illness
-- and others.

Weaving a culture of activism and involvement throughout the recipient’s company has allowed these organizations and many others to benefit from the services and expertise they would not have otherwise been able to afford -- to the tune of approximately $360,000 in the last 16 months alone, completing 427 projects for not-for-profits during that time frame, donating more than 4,000 staff hours.

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Nominations are submitted by our club members and community organizations, with the final selection being made by the Rotary Volunteer Committee. Committee members this year include:

Barbara Lucks, chair
Tom Slaight
Dan Emrie
Doug Nickell
Anne Soots
Cindy Howell
Carol DeHaven

The award has been presented since 1999.
Previous recipients are:
2016 Irwin Cohen
2015 Doug Nickell
2014 Steve Rice
2013 Gordon Elliott
2012 Kirk Elmquist
2011 Dennis Whaley
2010 Gerry Lee
2009 Rick Hughlett
2008 Gary Deaver
2007 Bob Hammerschmidt
2006 Doug Pitt
2005 Anne Brown
2004 Todd Parnell
2003 Joy Lamberson Klock
2002 Steve Scott
2001 Barbara Lucks
2000 Mac McCartney
1999 Bill Reser



 

Adrienne McCoy introduced him on June 15. His co-sponsor is Michael Wehrenberg.

Zach was born and raised in Lebanon. He joined the Air Force Reserves after high school and was stationed at Whiteman AFB near Knob Noster, where he served as an A-10 hydraulics mechanic. While in the Reserves, he attended University of Missouri - Columbia, where he earned a degree in business marketing and psychology.

Zach felt a desire for a greater challenge to serve his country and was selected for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program. After completing that program, he was stationed in Camp Lejeune, N.C., and served as the 2nd Marine Logistics Group budget officer, managing operations and maintenance funding.

Zach voluntarily took a deployment to Afghanistan in 2011. He was the fiscal officer in charge of the stability operations section in Helmand Province, managing humanitarian and construction projects. He earned the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Action for his actions.

After returning home, he was assigned to Bloomington, Ind., as the Marine Corps officer selection officer. He was responsible for recruiting, screening and preparing college students and graduates for the rigors of Marine Corps Office Candidate School.

Zach still serves as a captain in the Marine Corps Reserves. He returned to Missouri in 2014 and purchased CertaPro Painters. He believes it provides the right professional environment and culture for focusing on taking pride in your work and giving back to your community. His goal is to create an extraordinarily positive experience for every employee and customer.

Springfield Southeast Rotary Club and the Springfield - Greene County Parks Department dedicated the new "shade sail structure," picnic tables and the Ted Andrews Memorial Bench contributed by our club and Andrews' family.

The dedication took place during the club’s meeting at the site on May 25, 2017.

The shaded picnic area is in the K-Park section of the park, an area that also includes the K-Man kinetic sculpture, the climbing rock and the Springfield Wagon play feature, all funded entirely through donations now totaling more than $100,000 from Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast.

“We’re proud of our partnership with Rotary Club of Springfield Southeast, which has donated so many one-of-kind play features at Jordan Valley Park,” said Jeff Cumley, superintendent of Jordan Valley Park and a member of the club. “When the kids aren’t playing in the fountain, they’re on these play features, and now parents and kids have a shady spot to eat lunch while at the park.”

The picnic tables are arranged in the shape of the Rotary logo.  Tables, the underlying concrete pad and the shade sail are in Rotary colors of blue and yellow.

The Ted Andrews Memorial Bench honors the late Rotarian, who worked extensively on the shade sail project. The bench was funded by his family.

 

Our program on Feb. 23 raised about $9,400 for World Community Service projects, including our club's $7,500 commitment to I Pour Life's mentoring program in Korah, Ethiopia.   That program helps ostracized women with AIDS, leprosy and other diseases improve their families' literacy and financial knowledge so they can earn livings and afford better housing.  Our club's commitment is part of a Springfield-wide effort by all Rotary clubs that included district and Rotary International matching funds.

Here's a video about I Pour Life introduced by World Community Service committee chair Sharyn Dawson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqkuX6Gm5jo&feature


In the past three years, our club's WCS auctions have raised more than $45,000 for 18 international projects.

Along with the funds from the auction and raffle on Feb. 23, the Board of Directors also budgeted $4,000 for World Community Service projects, so our total donations to those programs in this program year will be about $13,400.

John Horton introduced her on June 1. Her co-sponsor is Ray Meyer.

Rebecca was born in St. Louis, move to Springfield during elementary school, but moved to Texas and graduated from Texarkana High School.

With a family in the roofing business, she naturally had a love of the construction industry and received her BS in construction management and a MBA from Missouri State University.

After 10 years at DeWitt & Associated as a project manager, she took over as a branch manager at Flynn Midwest, a building envelope subcontractor.

She is active in the Springfield Contractors association, Tri-state Contractors, Construction Specifications Institute, US Green Building Council and serves on the Kitchen Board.

She has two children who both attend MSU. Christopher is a geology major and Savannah is starting work on a degree in psychology.

She is a member of Christ Episcopal Church, where she is on the welcoming committee.

Ken Stephens introduced her on May 4. Her co-sponsor is John Horton.

Lynette is founder and president of Human Resource Advantage. She's been in the field of Human Resources for more than 20 years.

Lynette earned her Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Ottawa University and a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University.

She is a member of the Springfield Area Human Resources Association, Branson Tri-Lakes Human Resource Association, Springfield and Branson Chambers of Commerce, and the National Society for Human Resource Management.