Left to right: Toyota representatives Rich Zirbel and Gary Ballard receive Rotary pins and certificates from Rotarian Chet Marshall.

December 13, 2011

Putnam Rotary today welcomed its second corporate membership today as Gary Ballard and Rich Zirbel took the traditional service pledge for Toyota Motor Manufacturing of West Virginia.

The Toyota production facilities are located at Buffalo which is some distance from the meeting site of the club. Travel time to and from the weekly luncheon meeting on Teays Valley Road would be greater than the time required for participation in the actual meeting.

Corporate membership allows a business to be represented by attendance in rotation. Putnam is the only club in southern West Virginia which offers the new corporate membership arrangement.

"Putnam Rotary embraces the entire county," club president Bob Keely has said. "We have members who work in Charleston and Huntington as well.

"A Rotary luncheon means two hours or more away from the office -- and the loss in work time is multiplied for several members in the same location."

This pilot program allows a company or corporation in the area to become a Rotary member, and appoint up to four people who would enjoy all the privileges and responsibilities of other Rotarians.

These designees of the company will attend club meetings, work on service projects, vote and serve in leadership positions.

Gary Ballard is the father of HOBY Ambassadors Mollie Ballard (2011) and Mason Ballard (0009).