Heather Bedford pounded the gavel at her first Rotary meeting as President on July 13, 2022. During her one-year term, Bedford will be focused on building new relationships and establishing collaborations with organizations within the community that share Rotary’s commitment to driving impact through humanitarian service. She has also made Rotary’s 4 Way Test the pillars of her platform: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
As an entrepreneur and a volunteer charity board member of several organizations with more than 30 years of experience, Bedford will also use her new position to shine a light on the positive and lasting impact Rotary clubs are making to improve lives and strengthen communities. “This year, we are going to bring Rotary service projects center stage. We will work on dynamic plans that will put a special focus on visible, high impact acts of service, drawing attention to the incredible work that Rotary members are doing.” said Bedford.
“Following the results of the negative growth of Rotary, caused by the pandemic, we are looking forward as a club of welcoming new members, building better business relationships and developing lasting friendships.” Bedford added, “But most of all we are going to have fun!”
“I’m very excited to be President this year because for the first time in its 117 - year history, the President of Rotary International is a woman! She is Jennifer Jones, from Canada, and she will be working on her four initiatives; advancing our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; creating a welcoming club experience; empowering girls; and expanding Rotary’s reach. I am happy to be working alongside her advancing these commitments in our community as she goes about it globally”, Bedford added.
The Lompoc Rotary Club meets the second and fourth Wednesdays at 6 pm at Events Mission Valley, 138 North B Street, Lompoc, California. The public is welcome to attend by contacting Membership Chair, Michelle Hodapp, at michelle.hodapp@excelpersonnelservices.com or on the website: lompocrotary.com
Rotary International is a humanitarian service organization which brings together business and professional leaders in order to provide community service, promote integrity, and advance goodwill, peace, and understanding in the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization. Rotary connects 1.4 million people of action from more than 46,000 Rotary clubs in almost every country in the world. Their service improves lives both locally and internationally, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit Rotary.org.