During its recent “changing of the guard” dinner, outgoing President Nicole Lawson Doll shared highlights of the club’s accomplishments over the past year, including achieving the prestigious Rotary Gold Club Award, and passed the gavel to the club’s new president, Francisco Lozano. Rotary District Governor Brandy Swanson administered the presidential oath to Lozano. 

Lozano will be joined in leadership over the next year by President-Elect Marcie Smith, Secretary Rebekah Gibson, Treasurer Shane Burr, Sergeant-at-Arms: Marianne Butler and Nicole Lawson Doll, as past president. Also serving on the Club’s Board of Directors for this year: Lynn Epps, Rebecca Johnston, Billy Peppers, Rommel RitaRita, Joe Smith, and JoEllen Wilson.

Additionally, the Rotarian of the Year Award, also known as the Coxe Award, was presented to Rebecca Johnston. She was recognized for her longtime dedication to the club including her roles during the past Rotary year as program chair, House of Friendship chair, and Women in Leadership panel moderator. 

Past District Governor Kay Miller, a former Canton Rotarian and past president, who in 2001 was the first woman to serve in the regional role for north Georgia, was also honored. 

In a separate meeting, the club also announced its annual Public Service Award winners. This year’s winner of the Lamar Haley Award, which honors exceptional community service, is Lori Baker, founder and executive director of Next Step Ministries. This year’s Jean Harris Award, which honors a non-Rotarian for outstanding “Service Above Self,” was presented to Kendall Jones, community liaison for MUST Ministries.

Canton Rotary Club meets at noon on Tuesdays at the Cherokee Conference Center at The Bluffs or at offsite locations for community service projects, and residents interested in joining the club are invited to visit. For more information, visit TheRotaryClubOfCantonGa.org.