Rev. Jerry Hays was inducted as the 19/20 president of the Rotary Club of Schaumburg A.M. by 19/20 Rotary District 6440 Governor Suzanne Gibson during the club’s recent Installation & Awards Dinner at Schaumburg’s Stonewood Ale House restaurant.
Hays is senior pastor at Schaumburg’s St. Peter Lutheran Church and School.
Assistant Governor Bill Kmiecik inducted the club’s 19/20 board of directors.
18/19 outgoing president Lori Corrigan noted the club’s accomplishments during her year and presented the following recognition –
Ann Everhart, Youth Services Chair, earned the “Rotarian of the Year Award" for her efforts in recruiting local high school students to attend Dist 6440’s annual RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) conference. Everhart founded the club’s RYLA Ambassadors program as a way to stay connected with these young adult students following their RYLA participation by engaging them in Rotary club activities and service projects. She also serves as the club’s primary contact with the Interact Club at Schaumburg’s Robert Frost Jr. High School and co-chaired March's "Rock on Rotary" club fundraising event.
RYLA Ambassadors Emily, Liv, Neeha and Vinaya were recognized for their "can do" attitude and desire to “make a difference” by participating in and organizing service projects. These ambassadors planned a January 2019 group evening of service and fellowship for Schaumburg AM Rotarians, District 6440 youth exchange students, Frost Interact students and young adult friends of the club that included meal packing at Schaumburg's “Feed My Starving Children” facility followed by pizza for all. They contributed to the club's fundraising efforts by selling raffle tickets to "Rock on Rotary" event attendees.
Jim McKenzie, Vocational Scholarship Chair, received the “Inspiration of the Year Award" in recognition of his leadership and service to the club as event co-chair that launched this year’s successful “Rock on Rotary” fundraiser benefiting the club's scholarship and youth leadership development programs.
McKenzie spearheads the club’s vocational scholarship program that provides need based educational assistance to those who are pursuing post-secondary vocational and technical education training (less than a four year degree) that will prepare them for better employment opportunities and increased earnings potential.
The “Service Above Self Award” was presented to Sharon Perry acknowledging her behind-the-scenes work, coordination of details and overall support of club operations. Perry serves as the club's website coordinator and public image chair.