The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra (Nocatee) has a new president. Nocatee resident George Postell was sworn in as the group’s new leader during a “Pass the Gavel Celebration and Installation” event at Maggiano’s in Town Center. His leadership role will begin on July 1 when the new Rotary year begins in every Rotary club around the world.
After Postell recited the oath of office, he received his president’s pin. In his first speech as Ponte Vedra Rotary president, he said: “Reflecting light into areas of darkness globally, regionally, in our communities and ourselves, is what Rotarians do.”
In addition to Postell’s swearing in, the club’s outgoing president, Karen Everett, presented Rotary pens to her board, and handed out two special recognition awards. The club’s charter president, Kelly Altosino-Sastre, received the President’s Award for her service to the club. Rotarian and Nocatee YMCA CEO Sarah Schmitt collected the Dr. Leona Farrell Award for working quietly behind the scenes to organize the club’s community service events.
In return, the club gave appreciation gifts to Everett to commemorate a successful year under her leadership. After receiving her Past President pendant and her 2024-25 framed gavel, Everett told the gathering: Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s theme for this Rotary past year was “The Magic of Rotary,” and it truly has been a magical year. The club continues to support the mission of Rotary while meeting its goals of friendship, fellowship and community service.
The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra welcomed six new members this year, participated in monthly service projects and gave more than $20,000 to local and global nonprofit organizations through the club’s 501(c)3 charitable grantmaking entity; the Ponte Vedra Rotary Foundation Inc.
Additionally, the club celebrated a significant accomplishment by becoming a 100% Paul Harris Fellow Rotary club, which is the recognition that every member of the club through their personal financial contribution of $1000 or contributions made in their name to The Rotary Foundation’s humanitarian efforts, became a Paul Harris Fellow. Only 20% of Rotary’s 46,000 clubs worldwide achieve this milestone.
Incoming District Governor of Rotary District 6970 and the event’s officiant, Dale Moe, from the Rotary Club of Northwest Jacksonville, was on hand to offer an inspiring speech about Rotary’s mission and to echo the message: “Unite for Good” that the 2025-26 President of Rotary International unveiled earlier this year.
Also on hand to celebrate and participate in the event were Nocatee and the Beaches Assistant District 6970 Governors, Sam Hall, from the Rotary Club of Ponte Beach and Bob Wiltfong, Ponte Vedra Rotary club member and past chair of the Ponte Vedra Rotary Foundation. Rotary District 6970 encompasses 12 counties in Northeast Florida.
The Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra, chartered in April 2018, is one of 64 Rotary Clubs in North Florida that comprise Rotary District 6970. 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 communities and in themselves.
For information about where in Nocatee the Rotary Club of Ponte Vedra meets, email an inquiry to: pontevedrarotary@gmail.com.
