The York North Rotary Club celebrated a year of service and leadership as outgoing President Melissa Markey officially passed the gavel to incoming President Beth Brennan. The changing of the guard at York North marked a moment of reflection, recognition, and renewed commitment to Rotary's motto: Service Above Self. Melissa was applauded for her dedicated leadership throughout the 2024–2025 Rotary year. Gary Lauer thanked Melissa for an outstanding Presidency, emphasizing Melissa’s positive and infectious servant leadership style. Melissa lead with a “VELVET GLOVE” not an iron fist. She was soft and tactful, always outwardly polite and friendly and never lost her cool. During her year our club added five new members. We did18 community service activities throughout the year and sponsored an exchange student. We applied and received a grant that supported a local nonprofit. The amount of work we did under Melissa’s leadership in the community is just unmeasurable. Under Melissa’s Leadership we were awarded the Best Large Club of District 7390.

 

Melissa commented “one of the things that everyone said was like, we'll be here to help you, and that couldn't have been more true. So I just truly appreciate people diving in to set up, if there was something wrong or something missing. I just really appreciate all the help and support and positive attitudes from everyone.  So just thank you to everyone, and I'm looking forward to coming and eating breakfast. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

In recognition of always effectively and efficiently managing the meeting starting and ending times the Club presented Melissa with the “Melissa’s Mallet.”