Females nominated to lead during next 3 years
“For the first time in the 41-year history of the Rotary Club of Farragut, we will have three consecutive women leading our club if elected by the membership,” Tom King, RCF newsletter editor and public image chairman, stated in the club’s December newsletter. “The nominating committee for our 2022-2023 officers and directors is recommending a slate headed by president Megan Belcher (2022-23), president-elect Val Privett (2023-24) and vice president-elect Teri Jo Fox (2024-25).
“I’m really excited,” Belcher said. “It’s a huge honor. It’s a great club.”
“I think it’s great,” the Rev. David Bluford, current president, said. “I think it’s a wonderful thing.
“They’re all fairly new in Rotary, and it’s a good energy builder and a good connector,” he added. “It also shows that Rotary is trying to be as inclusive as it possibly can — gender-wise, but also in many other ways, too, with our diversity … it represents our community and that’s where we’re at.
“I look forward to the next three years. I think they have a lot of exciting things they can lead us in.”
About the three presidential nominees, Belcher replied, “The deck is stacked, I guess. I will be the president for 2022-23, and Val Privett, who’s currently the vice president, will be president in 2023-24; and then Teri Jo Fox will be (president in) 2024-25.
“I think that a lot of it has to do with the friendships that have formed in the club and the desire to support each other,” she added. “I think that really came into play a lot, this year. Specifically, Rotary has been focused on women and empowering women.
“So, I just think that is in front of mind and playing out in our club.”
While reluctant to speak for herself, Belcher said, “Teri Jo and Val are both extremely focused and detail-oriented and just exceptional leaders in the community.”
“Megan joined in April 2016, Val in August 2017 and Teri Jo in December 2016; and all three have worked hard for the club during their four years in the club,” King said.
King recalled when he joined the club in 2005 it had six women as members: Linda Bellich, who now lives in Florida; past president, the late Joan McIntee, then an honorary member living in Ohio; Patty Daughtrey, now a Bearden Rotary member; and Stephanie Myers and Jamie Northcutt, the latter no longer in the club. McIntee was the first female club president, serving the 1994-1995 term.
Now RCF has 25 female members.
“In the past 10 years, five women have been our president: Leah Berry, Peggy Wilson, Lee Mrazek, the late Chris Camp and Staci Wilkerson,” King said.
The club only has one new member joining its board, Tory Ricon.
“He will be one of the co-chairs of Youth Service, along with James Gaddis,” King stated.
Sonya Ford will return to the board as Family of Rotary Committee chair as Fox moves into the vice president role. Julie Blaylock will rejoin the board as co-chair of Service Projects with Scott Bertini.
Once elected, this slate of officers begin serving July 1.
“According to the club’s bylaws, this slate must be published in ‘The Flagship (newsletter)’ for two consecutive weeks prior to a vote of the membership to approve these new officers and directors,” King said.
The other proposed officers are Mary Ann Imgram, secretary; Steve Krempasky, treasurer: Howard Fass, sergeant at arms; Scott Brockamp and Denise Bash, fundraising chairs; Cindy Kraus and Doug Powell, membership chairs; Bill Rice, Foundation chair; Becky Duncan, International Service; James Gaddis and Tory Rincon, Youth Services chairs; King, public image; and Bluford, past president.
Photo courtesy of Tom King/RCF
Rotary Club of Farragut members, from left, Teri Jo Fox, Valerie Privet and Megan Belcher are RCF presidential nominees for the next three years. Belcher has been nominated to serve the 2022-23 Rotary year while Privet is nominated to serve 2023-24 and Fox 2024-25.
