The Rotary Club of Knoxville has honored two members as the 2022-2023 Rotarians of the Year. Margo Hughes, director of ops services, Bluemont Group Inc., and Joe Stabb, assistant professor of practice, University of Tennessee Knoxville, have been co-honored for their commitment to the values of Rotary and their action of service to Rotary.
Margo Hughes has been the driving force to implement the Purple Pinkie Donut Campaign in partnership with Dunkin.’ She has led a team of individuals across multiple states that has raised millions of dollars to support Rotary’s End Polio Now initiative which goes to vaccinate children against polio globally. In five years, the campaign has raised over $4.5 million dollars and Hughes invests hours of volunteer time to plan, coordinate and implement the campaign. In addition to raising awareness and money for eradicating polio, the campaign also raises awareness of Rotary in general.
Joe Stabb has invested volunteer time and expertise to help improve operations and communication for the Rotary Club of Knoxville. He has built a new website and connected the options to pay for guests by credit card, which has been a long-standing request. He has actively volunteered to help with events, chair and serve on multiple committees, coordinated with other groups to partner with our club, and brought multiple guests to club meetings as well as events. The result has been increased exposure for our club, less work for the Rotary office and a better experience for members.
The objective of the Four-Way Test Rotarian of the Year Award is to give recognition and encouragement to the newer members of our club who have shown exemplary Rotary spirit. Candidates for the award are those members who have been in the club five years or less (joining after July 1, 2018). Information about Rotary’s Four Way Test can be found online.