The COVID pandemic posed many challenges for everyone. For South Haven Rotary president Dan Thompson the challenge was extraordinary and for his year-long commitment to service beyond self he has been named the South Haven Rotarian of the Year.
The entire country was in a state of lockdown. Weekly in-person South Haven Rotary meetings had been declared off-limits. One traditional event after another was cancelled.
“We were in the midst of a life threatening pandemic and the future of our club as a relevant service organization had to be reinvented,” noted member Mark Odland.
Thompson stepped up. He kept the club meeting weekly via ZOOM technology, adapted the club’s pancake breakfast to a virtual event and kept a clear focus on growth of membership. Club members maintained their generosity toward the community by contributing an estimated $56,000 to local causes.
A Rotarian since 2017, Thompson was presented the award during the club’s recent annual induction event, the first (and only) in-person meeting convened by him.
Thompson passed the gavel to new South Haven Rotary President Bill Roberts.
