The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra (in Nocatee) held its annual Passing of the Gavel Celebration and Installation Dinner on July 18 at Maggiano’s. The event is organized by the club’s Past Presidents Council.
Outgoing 2022-23 President Bob Wilfong recapped a very successful year. After presenting gifts to all of the outgoing board members, and proclaiming that they were all, “Rotarians of the Year,” he also said, “It has been a real privilege to be your president this year.”
He passed the gavel to 2023-24 President Josh Hull, who will become the club’s sixth president. Hull, a charter member of the Ponte Vedra club, is the vice president of Vystar Credit Union’s Nocatee branch.
On hand to celebrate and participate in the installation ceremony was John Tabor, Rotary District 6970 governor who is a wealth advisor with VyStar Investment Services and colleague of Hull. Rotary Club of Palm Valley Past President and Rotary mentor to Hull, Dave Howie acted as the installation officiant. Howie is a partner in the CPA firm of Masters, Smith and Wispy, PA.
Upon receiving his president’s pin and gavel, Hull revealed goals for the upcoming Rotary year.
Hull said, “I want to add more fundraising events to support charitable projects; attract new members, while concentrating on retention of current members.”
He added, “I encourage our club to plan for more social events, and to actively involve our Rotary Youth Exchange student in the life of our club. The student will arrive from Brazil in August and will spend the school year with host families in Nocatee.”
He also exclaimed, “I want us to have more fun in Rotary!”
The Rotary year begins on July 1, and Rotary clubs worldwide pass the gavel to new leadership. The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra, chartered in April 2018, is one of 64 Rotary Clubs in North Florida that comprise Rotary District 6970. The club meets on every other Tuesday morning at 7:15 a.m. at Treylor Park Restaurant in Nocatee Town Center.
Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves. For information: pontevedrarotary@gmail.com.
