Gavel passed to new Rotary Club leader

Leadership of the Rotary Club of Columbia Falls was handed off to President Cliff Seiler from former president and new Vice President Roger Hopkins at a recent meeting. Meanwhile Secretary/Treasurer Roger Elliot takes on the dual roles for another year.

The Columbia Falls club has been chartered since 2006 and is seeking to grow its membership during Seiler’s term, in part by adopting a corporate membership structure. It’s not unusual for the manager or CEO of a business to have their noon hours filled with other meetings or responsibilities, Hopkins said, adding that employees may have more available time to become involved with the club and its service projects.

With a corporate membership, full dues are paid for one primary member with up to three alternate members paying a nominal fee. All corporate members are encouraged to participate in meetings and service projects but the corporate membership has one vote on club business. The club is also looking into a spousal and/or family membership.

Club meetings are at noon, first and third Wednesdays of the month, in the Backroom of Columbia Falls’ Night Owl Restaurant. They typically include a presentation from a community member or business about their organization or activities. For example today, Wednesday July 19, the club will hear from the new Executive Director of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Clifford Kipp, and Rebecca Powell, BMWF’s Program Manager.

The public is always invited to attend the Rotary Club meetings and presentations. Lunch is available from the Backroom for $10.