President Michelle Lyons Recognized for 2023-24 Service; Michelle Spencer Installed as 2024-25 President
HUNTSVILLE, TX — The Rotary Club of Huntsville TX hosted its annual Celebration and Installation Dinner at the Elkins Lake Clubhouse on June 26, 2024. The event commenced with a warm welcome from outgoing President Michelle Lyons. The evening’s program included an invocation by Lydia Montgomery, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Ashley Horton, and the 4-Way Test presented by Carol Mattingly.
President Lyons took a moment to recognize past presidents and Roll of Fame members who were present. She also presented special recognition awards, including Perfect Attendance, Rotarian of the Year awarded to Todd Armstrong, and Dedication to Service awarded to Carol Mattingly. Reflecting on her term, Lyons shared, “I will miss ringing the bell and seeing the reactions of our members. The activities where we made a direct impact, like stuffing Christmas stockings for housing-insecure children and making Valentine’s cards for nursing home residents, brought me immense joy.”
Lyons also highlighted the club’s efforts in community service projects and her plans for continued involvement. “This summer, I am working on a grant with one of the College Station clubs to create kits for local non-profits. My goal is to have our club do similar projects quarterly, partnering with organizations like the Good Shepherd Mission and SAAFE House,” she explained.
District 5910 Assistant Governor Amy Supak was present to install the new President, Michelle Spencer, along with the incoming Board of Directors. In her acceptance speech, Spencer emphasized the importance of transparency and community engagement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead and look forward to continuing the great work we’ve started. One of my key focuses will be maintaining the transparent process for charitable funding initiated by Michelle Lyons, which has already resulted in increased applications from local charities,” Spencer said.
Spencer’s acceptance address was met with enthusiastic applause from family, friends, and fellow Rotarians. She expressed her vision for the club’s future, stating, “It’s crucial that we remain dedicated to our motto, ‘Service Above Self.’ This year, we allocated $32,000 to nine different non-profits in our community, and I aim to continue and expand these efforts.”
The 2024-2025 Board of Directors includes:
- Michelle Spencer, President
- Daniel Bayes, President-Elect
- Bill Daugette, Vice-President
- Terri Coleman, Secretary
- Todd Armstrong, Treasurer
- Carol Mattingly, Director
- Nelson Amaya, Director
- Billy Cauthen, Director
- Monica Criswell, Director
- John Hendricks, Director
- Michelle Lyons, Past-President
- Brad Sherman, Sergeant At Arms
Spencer also acknowledged the club’s ongoing challenges and areas for improvement. “We need to enhance member engagement. It’s not just about having members but having active Rotarians. Our service projects and fundraising events like Trivia Night and Wine Quest are vital, and we need everyone’s participation to make them successful,” she noted.
In her parting words, Lyons thanked the members for their support and dedication. “I deeply appreciate your volunteerism and efforts in the community. Our collective work has made a significant impact, and I am honored to have served as your president,” she concluded.
Rotary International is a global humanitarian organization dedicated to fostering community service, promoting high ethical standards, and advancing world peace and understanding. The Rotary Club of Huntsville, TX, exemplifies these values through its local projects, charitable initiatives, and community involvement. For more information on the Huntsville club and its activities, visit https://rotaryclubofhuntsvilletx.org/.
The Rotary Club of Huntsville TX looks forward to another year of service and community involvement under the leadership of Michelle Spencer. The club remains committed to its mission of service and continues to strive for excellence in all its endeavors.
