Last week the Avalon Rotary Club held its annual Demotion Dinner at the Country Club, honoring and roasting outgoing President Julie Bovay and installing incoming President Greg Smith. After a review of the year's projects under President Bovay, the evening finished with the newly installed President Smith sharing some of his goals for the club in the coming months.

The annual dinner is also the occasion at which Rotary honors their elected Citizen of the Year.  After a long introduction listing the many activities that she's involved in, guest Arlene Blake was surprised to discover she was the recipient of this annual honor.  Avalon Rotary bestows this award on community members who've made outstanding contributions to the Island and Arlene Blake is clearly devoted to many organizations (Catalina Island Woman's Forum, Catalina Island Museum, Annual Blood Drive, CERT, and many more).

Next up was the awarding of the Rotarian of the Year.  Dan O'Connor was thanked for his consistent devotion to the club and his involvement above and beyond the call of duty in virtually every event that the Club is involved in during the year, including chairing the annual Skeeball Tournament.

Avalon Rotary is just one of over 32,000 Rotary Clubs around the world in over 200 countries.  All are dedicated to the creed of "service above self."  Rotary International was founded in 1905 as both a business networking and community service organization.  Avalon Rotary offers its membership a chance to network with local business leaders as well as offer community service opportunities for our Island, as well as projects such as feeding the hungry in Ensenada, Mexico or contributing to international efforts to eradicate polio.