The Washington (evening) Rotary Club met Thursday night at the Washington Yacht & Country Club.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Todd Williamson lead the singing of “America the Beautiful” and Russell Smith offered a prayer and blessing for the upcoming meal. President McLawhorn was pleased to receive more Christmas gifts from the Salvation Army’s “Christmas Angels.”

This being election night, there was not a formal program speaker. Instead, there was a discussion about next summer’s Charlie Griffin Rotary Fishing Tournament, which will be held at Havens Gardens on June 4. There was lively discussion about how to encourage more children to participate and share in the first, second and third cash prize money for the largest fish caught. The fishing tournament is the club’s largest fundraiser and it is used exclusively to fund scholarships at Beaufort County Community College and local charities.

President McLawhorn passed out ballot slips to the members and shortly thereafter announced that Melissa Jarvis was elected as the president-elect nominee on the first ballot.   She will serve as president-elect during the 2016-2017 Rotary year beginning in July and will be a member of the Board of Directors. She will then serve as the president of the club for the 2017-2018 term.  Following the announcement, Melissa received a rousing round of applause, which she acknowledged with a smile and a wave.

There being no further business, the meeting concluded with the members reciting the Four Way Test of the things we think, say and do.