Swarthmore Rotary Takes a New Turn with New Leaders
Incoming Rotary Club of Swarthmore President Maria Zissimos dons a ceremonial pin at the recent installation dinner, assisted by Maria’s husband, Art Kyriazis (left), and President-Elect William Hale (right). Other Rotary officers and board members for 2019-2020 are George Whitfield, Secretary; Sonya Pappas, Treasurer; Barbara Shimko, Rotary Foundation Chair; Perri Evanson, Membership Chair; Lori Markusfeld, Service Project Chair; Brian Casey, Club Executive Secretary; Betty Ann Flynn, Club Director; and Penelope Reed, Public Relations Chair. Photo by Gail Hale.
On Thursday, June 13, the Rotary Club of Swarthmore installed its new officers and board members in a gathering at a new location. Incoming 2019-2020 President Maria Zissimos, General Counsel for Chester Housing Authority, chose as a venue for the celebration the William Penn Homes development and its exciting new Red Brick Café, which has recently opened its doors to the community. A resident-propelled business, Amir’s Catering, provided a first class banquet experience in the heart of this Chester community.
William Hale, President-Elect of the club for 2020-2021, convened the assembled for an evening featuring music and cocktails on the patio, a feast in the dining hall, and testimonial speeches, including the honoring of Secretary George Whitfield for his long service.
Craig Fava, Outgoing President, warmed the crowd with his generosity toward fellow club members. As the steady hand of The Rotary Club of Swarthmore, Craig brought profound integrity, vision, amazing success in the club’s reach locally and globally, as well as warm-hearted leadership that encompassed each club member. He becomes Immediate Past President to support Maria in the Club’s next steps.
Past District Governor Bonnie Korregal installed Maria as Rotary Club of Swarthmore’s new President. Maria, who will begin as President on July 4, shared her vision for the Club in the year ahead:
To propel the concept of Rotary beyond its current bounds of a midday lunch hour. (To that end, members and the public will be welcome at monthly Happy Hours as well as weekly luncheons at the Inn at Swarthmore.)
To attract new membership to encompass the global community of Rotary service to those who love what Rotary does, but see barriers to joining
To meet new members of our community and begin a conversation with them about service above self
The evening ended with widespread enthusiasm for helping neighbors, near and far.
