President Mike Herron unveils new banner recognizing Putnam's own Mary Keely as District Governor for RI District 7550.

A banner for Putnam from Rotary's International President.

Mary Keely began her tour of duty as District Governor for southern West Virginia's RI District 7550 today with a standing ovation from Putnam Rotarians. "Just like I do every morning," quipped dutiful spouse Bob Keely as he joined in the extended applause.

Keely was once asked, she said, when did she first become a Rotarian. "You know the moment," she said. "The moment you took food to someone who had none and saw the gratitude on their face.

"Or perhaps when you volunteered for the Special Olympics and watched those with handicaps who worked so hard to achieve their goals.

"Or maybe it was the moment when you volunteered on a national immunization day, and you watched those two special drops of polio vaccine fall into the mouth of a child, knowing that a life had been saved.

"While I've had moments like that in Rotary," she continued, "I couldn't put my finger on any one single moment. So my answer was, I had always had the heart of a Rotarian. I just didn't know what to call it until I found Rotary.

"And that may be true for many of you," said Keely. "As Rotarians, we spend our lives in service to others, and we grow from each giving moment."

Rotary has grown into an international organization that embraces fun, friendship and fellowship while serving the communities of the world, said Keely.

"From this comes our theme for the new year, 'Building Communities, Bridging Continents.'"

The new District Governor had met earlier with members of the governing board of the local club, and she enumerated the many projects during the past year.

Putnam Rotary last year donated $8,000 to support local projects and organizations; $5,000 went to international projects; $2,000 for PolioPlus; $3,500 to the Rotary Foundation, said Keely.

"As Rotarians, we face many challenges," said Keely. "We must complete the $200 Million challenge and match the $355 Million grant from the Gates Foundation for the eradication of Polio.

"We're almost there.

"Many of you may be too young to remember the devastation of Polio; I grew up with people who had polio and can tell you how frightening that was for a child.

"Every time someone got sick, there was always the fear that it would be that crippling disease with no cure called Polio.

"Rotary began the effort to eliminate Polio worldwide in 1985, and to date has reduced the number of cases to one percent.

"We are in the final inch of this long battle, and Rotarians throughout the world have raised over $133 Million toward the $200 Million challenge."

Keely challenged the Putnam club to "think outside the box."

She cited the seven words "that can kill anything: 'We have always done it that way.'

"It all depends on you," Keely told her Putnam audience. "The success of our club's projects, the growth of our club, the success of our district, even the success of Rotary International -- it all depends on you.

"Our work is not done. There are still children who do not have food. There are still villages and towns without clean water. There are still cases of Polio which cripple a child for life.

"There are still orphans without a home. And, as long as even one child is hungry, we cannot put anything above our service to others.

"With the honor of being a Rotarian also comes the responsibility of being a Rotarian.

. "Together we can make a difference in Rotary, and through the magic of Rotary, we can make the world a better place," she concluded to another standing ovation.

Keely presented the Putnam club with a special banner from the President of Rotary International, and the local club in turn unveiled a new club banner with her name displayed as District Governor.

"We are proud and supportive of Mary," said Mike Herron. "But -- notice! -- there is room for more names from our club."