Bettye Williams, a social services management consultant, was installed as the 28th president of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay during ceremonies June 15.
Bettye Williams, a social services management consultant, was installed as the 28th president of the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay during ceremonies June 15.
Outgoing president Barbara A. Hastings, partner of Hastings &Pleadwell: A Communication Company, passed the gavel to Williams, who was installed by Linda Coble, Rotary District 5000 past governor.
In her keynote speech, Coble called on Rotarians to continually “unwrap the gift” of self to share time and talent with our communities.
Other officers installed were Hastings as vice president; Kyle Kawano, secretary; Paula Uusitalo, treasurer; Roy Takemoto, sergeant at arms; and Mike Carroll, attendance secretary.
This year, Rotary International chose the theme “Be a Gift to the World” as Rotarians are called on to contribute to bettering communities at home and around the globe.
Williams asked Rotarians to let their leadership be a gift to our community and the world.
During the past year, Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, which has 56 members, contributed to Puna lava flow relief efforts, Camp Agape for children of incarcerated parents, Children’s Justice Center and Hope Services’ homeless shelters.
The club also screens keiki for vision issues, participates in youth literacy projects, contributes to earthquake relief in Nepal and supports efforts to build wash facilities in Kosovo schools.
Scholarships and education grants were made to several local students and the club donated more than $5,000 to the Hawaii Rotary Youth Foundation.
The club’s signature fundraising event is Hilo Bay Oktoberfest, planned this year for Oct. 2 at Sangha Hall.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Hilo Bay, visit www.hilobayrotary.com.