Each year the current District Governor has the privilege of selecting and honoring outstanding achievements.  These are usually announced at the Annual District Conference.  Rotary years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 were anything but usual.  Let’s just call them the “Pandemic Years” and everyone will know what you will be referring to.

Although the pandemic tried its hardest to stifle, slow down, stop or even suffocate Rotary, you saw to it to NOT let this happen.  On March 13, 2020 you did see things come to a screeching halt, but you soon picked up the pieces and got back to the business of Rotary.

The Aloha Presidents* became the COVID-19 Presidents.  Meetings went from being in person to meeting on Zoom or Skype.  Projects were assessed and in cases where they could, they became virtual.  Everybody had to follow strict guidelines of social distancing, small gatherings, and strict health protocols.

Many club leaders rose to the challenge, pivoted, switched gears and kept going.  There were numerous challenges to meet head on.

This Governor asked for members to nominate their fellow Rotarians for the highest district honor of “Rotarian of the Year.”  There were several nominations, all worthy in a normal year, but remember this wasn’t normal.

This Governor took all these nominations in consideration, with the other duties of the nominees.  Considerations like goals and results when applicable.  Considerations like dealing with crisis, when this was not part of the playbook.  Always looking for a way to win, a never-say “die” attitude regardless of the headwinds.

After all the nominations, reports, discussions with other Rotarians, and my tedious research, it was an obvious choice naming the recipient of Rotarian of the Year.

Mrs. Lorena Beckius!

Congratulations to Lore.  It’s worthy of mentioning Lore’s leadership guided the Ogallala club during the 2019-20 year with the following list of accomplishments. We can all get great inspiration from Lore’s creativity, her genuine love of community, and her extraordinary achievements!  Here is the full list that I compiled.  All very well documented at https://www.facebook.com/OgallalaRotary.

Club Projects BEFORE March 13, 2020

Club Projects after COVID-19.