Kiwanis Club of Adrian passes gavel in change of leadership
ADRIAN — This past week, the Kiwanis Club of Adrian gathered for its weekly meeting Wednesday at the Christian Family Centre in Adrian where it celebrated the incoming officers and board members for the 2022-23 year.
The ceremonial “passing of the gavel” was also conducted. It’s an event that signals the transfer of the club presidency from one individual to the next. Current Kiwanis Club of Adrian President Travis Havens passed the presidency gavel to the club’s new president, Lynne Punnett, a retired nonprofit executive and a current housing advocate.
Havens said it has been an honor to serve the community as president of the club for the 2021-22 term.
“Our club has had a phenomenal year that included devoted service projects and granting of financial resources to those in need,” Havens, who also is president and CEO of Hospice of Lenawee, said in the release. “The Kiwanis Club of Adrian is growing its membership with engaged servant leaders. I look forward to staying very involved as a board director and committee member. I can’t wait to watch what Lynne is able to accomplish over the next year and beyond.”
Punnett has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Adrian for 11 years, the release said. She said she is excited and honored for the opportunity to lead the club throughout its next year.
“The leadership team is incredible, and I'm grateful to have the support of Travis and so many others who have served before us," Punnett said in the release. “This club's commitment to community and to improving the lives of children who live here is something we all believe in and something I'm especially proud to be a part of. I want others to feel welcome to join us in contributing directly and significantly to making this community the very best place for kids to live, grow and thrive."
Board members and officers were formally inducted at the meeting by Kiwanis Division No. 11 Lt. Gov. Mike Zuckowski, the release said. Inducted into their new positions were Cary Carrico of Kemner-Iott Benz as president-elect, Heather Pearce of South Michigan Food Bank as vice president, Joe Williams of County National Bank who will continue to serve as treasurer, and Paula Trentman with the Lenawee Community Foundation who will continue as club secretary.
The board of directors for the upcoming 2022-23 year includes Mekeisha Black, Lenawee Christian Ministries; Roger Ferguson, County National Bank; Laura Schultz-Pipis, United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties; Dusty Steele, HB Steele Interactive Financial Planning; Mark Baker, Foundation Realty; Drake Lolley, Advantage Visuals; and Frank Rhames, Blue Pointe Title Agency.
The Kiwanis Club of Adrian is one of more than 7,000 clubs in Kiwanis International. To learn more about the Adrian club, visit www.adriankiwanis.org.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Kiwanis Club of Adrian passes gavel in change leadership
