President-elect Mary Keely

June 20, 2006

Mary Keely takes up her official duties next week as president of Putnam Rotary for the year ahead. But club members were placed on notice today: "The train is pulling out on the station, and you need to get on board -- now."

In a two-fisted tour-de-force, the president-elect set forth her vision for goals, objectives, activities and functions for the term beginning this July.

Simply stated, Keely would push aggressively for active participation by all club members in a Rotarian twist of education's "No Child Left Behind."

"Spectator membership" is out. Everyone has something special to offer, and the incoming chief wants to mobilize the strength of each member to generate a dynamic presence for personal growth and community service.

She made a dry run last year in the development of a strategic plan since adopted by the Rotary District 7550 which takes in 32 local clubs in the southern part of the state. This year she was chairperson for planning the annual district conference at Snowshoe Resort.

The Putnam prospectus for the year to come anticipates nothing less than a complete "restructuring" of the local club.

Changes will be developed and published through revised "by-laws," a tired and worn term which in the new Keely-speak describes a vital working plan for coordination and focus within the group.

Membership will have the new by-laws guide in place within sixty days -- by August 29th," says the new chief honcho.

Keely wants to organize Putnam Rotarians around five broad functional areas -- membership, service, the Rotary Foundation, public relations and administration.

Within these five committee groupings, there is a job for everyone and multiple hats for most.

Basic information about Rotary seems to be in short supply among members. "I had no idea what we were about," said one member recently. "I thought the weekly lunch meeting was the heart of it, until I attended a district conference."

The Keely answers to overcome this problem illustrate her practical leadership style.

In the present climate of rapid corporate transition, members often are promoted away before they have time to become effective players on the club team.

The purpose and scope of the Putnam club will be set forth in a brief but comprehensive brochure for visitors -- and perhaps some members as well.

A new orientation program will emphasize Rotary ideals as "a way of life," extending far beyond the weekly fellowship.

The informational tri-fold, already in hand for distribution at future meetings, has been developed by another club member at Keely's behest.

In addition, a membership "biographical resource" is in preparation by yet another club member.

In the year ahead, the club will continue its active support for numerous service projects -- college scholarships, Junior Achievement, adult literacy, the Tri-County YMCA, Red Cross, high school Interact, and prison ministry -- to name a few.

What about "spectator members" in the new order?

"No problem," says Keely. "We all need to push together. There will be no spectators."