Rotary International begins a new year every July 1 worldwide and locally. A major part of that change is the “Changing of the Guard” – the ceremony to swear-in the club’s new leadership team.
Yesterday that new team for the Rotary Club of Farragut 2023-2024 took their oaths of office led by the club’s new president, Val Privett. Presiding was M. Janice Mitchell, Rotary District 6780 assistant district governor.
Outgoing Farragut Rotary president Megan Belcher with her gavel plaque honoring her leadership year
Privett succeeds outgoing president Megan Belcher, who has effectively guided the club this year. She will remain on the board of directors as our immediate past president. Belcher is the relationship manager at United Community Bank in Farragut and a seven-year Rotarian.
Privett, the owner of Beacon Insurance Advisers, moves up from president-elect. She has been a member of the club for six years and prior to opening her insurance business she was a college and high school women’s basketball coach.
Also sworn in was the new president-elect, Teri Jo Fox, a Realtor who co-owns The Knox Fox Real Estate Group in Farragut with her husband, Eric Whitener. She is a seven-year member of the club. Ascending to the presidential ladder is the new vice president, Scott Bertini. He is the regional account manager for Patterson Pope, covering East Tennessee, and has been a Farragut Rotarian for three years.
The club’s new board of directors also was sworn in. Here is the full board: Val Privett, president; Teri Jo Fox, president-elect; Scott Bertini, vice president; Sonya Ford, secretary; Steve Krempasky, treasurer; Howard Fass, sgt.-at-arms; PP Tom King, public image; Larry Sheumaker, membership; Tom Marsh & Andrew Vollman, fundraising; Cindy Kraus, family of Rotary; Bill Rice, Rotary Foundation; Kristen Otto, Fred Adomat & Jerry Schwallier, service projects; Bill Nichols & Tom Woodbery, youth services; PP Ed Jones, diversity; Megan Belcher, immediate past president.
Another change: On Wednesday, July 12, Farragut Rotary will begin meeting at its new home at the Farragut Community Center after 25-plus years at Fox Den Country Club. Yesterday was our final meeting at Fox Den. The Community Center’s address is 239 Jamestowne Blvd., next to Faith Lutheran Church. The meeting remains the same each Wednesday – 12:15 p.m. If you have questions, you can call 865-659-3562.
Tom King is a career journalist and a past president of the Rotary Club of Farragut. If you want more information about Rotary or are interested in attending a meeting or joining, please email Tom. The club meets every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the Farragut Community Center.