COMMUNITY SERVICE

Service defines Rotary's character; whether local or international, it promotes Rotary's appeal and visibility in the community, and is the reason Rotary continues to grow.

Community service responds to the needs of a local community. Rotary clubs should determine top priorities for service projects by first learning about a community's needs and assets, and then developing a response that addresses them.

An effective service project:

• Responds to a real issue, not an imagined one.

• Improves the lives of community members.

• Incorporates the abilities of those who are served.

• Recognizes all participants' contributions as important and necessary.

• Comes from a realistic assessment of resources available.

• Aims for specific goals and objectives with measurable results.

• Builds a working network

The Maryville Rotary Club serves Blount County through a myriad of services projects. If you are interested in serving on one of these committees, please do not hesitate to contact Jeff Eberting.

Adopt-a-Highway - (chaired by Chris LaRue) once a quarter, our club assembles a team of volunteers to clean up any trash that has accumulated along Home Avenue in Maryville. We are currently investigating the possibility of moving this location to a more high-profile stretch of road. Our clean-up dates are: October 27^th, January 19^th, April 12^th, and June 21^st.

Adopt-a-School - (chaired by Dana West) our club has partnered with Walland Elementary School to provide the students with numerous services. Some of our members spend time reading to the children. Others assist in beautification projects. This year, as a part of our guest speaker honorarium, we donate a children’s book in that speaker’s name to the Walland Elementary School Library. If you would like to assist in giving these students a wonderful educational experience, please contact Dana West.

Literacy Council - (chaired by Bob Lash and Margaret Butler) our club has always maintained a great presence on the board of the Blount County Literacy Council and this year is no exception. With four members (Bob Lash, Margaret Butler, Rose Mary McCall, and Bernie Bowman) on the board, our club continues to assist in “[creating], through education, a diverse community of skilled, knowledgeable and involved adults, enabling a higher quality of life for all in a changing world.”

Charles Harvey Academic Scholarships - (chaired by Jennifer Muise-Hill and Alan Smuckler) each spring, our club awards different academic scholarships to area high school students.

Dictionary Project - (chaired by Dana West and John Huffman) perhaps one of our most important service projects, the Dictionary Project provides each third grader in the Blount County Schools, Maryville City Schools, and the Maryville Christian School with his or her own dictionary. For many of these children, this is the first book that they will ever own. Delivering these dictionaries to the students is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have in our club. Please contact Dana West or John Huffman if you would like to share in this wonderful service project.

Youth in Service (Student of the Month) - (chaired by Glenn Slater) each month, during the school year, our club recognizes a student who is a senior (sometimes a junior) in high school who has demonstrated the Rotary motto “service above self.” These students are not only high academic achievers and proven student leaders, but they have shown their commitment to serving others be it through church, school, or their community. Each monthly recipient of the “Student of the Month” Award is invited to lunch with our club where he or she is recognized and awarded a certificate.

Boy Scouts - we have a Rotary representative assist with a designated Boy Scout troop or Cub Scout pack. Currently, we are looking for a representative. Please contact Jeff Eberting if you are willing to assist with the Boy Scouts.

Interact - (chaired by Tim Self) Interact is Rotary at the high school level. We are currently planning on establishing an Interact Club at William Blount High School. This club gives students a way to serve their school and local community through different service projects. Please give Tim Self all of the assistance he needs, for starting up a new Interact club will require a lot of work.