by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The Meninak Club of Jacksonville kicked off its year of programs Monday by recognizing the leaders who helped make 2008 a success and installed new officers who are looking for an even better 2009.
Immediate Past President Harrison Conyers was given numerous gifts for his service to the club and said he was proud of the work and growth — including 30 new members — that took place last year.
“It was an absolute honor to serve you and this club,” said Conyers, whose family has a lineage in the organization. “You really do have the chance to walk and sit with giants of the community here ... I know great things are ahead.”
Conyers’ successor is Bunky Johnson, who was installed as 2009 president and unveiled his organizational theme for the year, “90 in ‘09,” which recognizes an anniversary for the club.
Johnson said it would be a special year for the organization and said his goals include continuing a strong membership and diversi- ty drive, bringing the club’s foundation to a new level and establishing a club mentoring program.
Johnson said he looked through the Meninak handbook and found that the president had authority to create new committees as they saw fit — something Johnson did Monday during his first day when he discusssed the new mentoring, planned giving and Web site improvement committees. All three, he said, would increase the level of member participation and increase the organization’s media visibility.
The many members who directed and served on 2008 committees were also recognized for their work and were given a gift — albeit one that most found humorous.
“’What’s appropriate to give a chairman?’ I asked,” said Conyers. “I was told ‘How about a chair?’”
A large pile of red travel chairs featuring Meninak logos was unveiled in the middle of the room, which elicited laughs from the packed house. Those who directed committees, though, received two chairs.
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there will be no Meninak meeting Jan 19 — the next will be held Jan. 26 and feature program speaker Candace Moody of Worksource.
Other news and notes from Monday’s Meninak meeting:
• Dr. Marcel Lovett presented the Gladys Harris Award to former president John Anderson. The award is given annually to a member for outstanding contributions and is named after the longtime executive secretary of the organization who devoted much of her life to the club. “Meninak means so much to me,” said Anderson, upon receiving the award. “It always has and it always will.”
• The organization introduced its first new member of 2009, but it was a familiar face. Oana Kelsay, a global logistics planner, was the recipient of a Meninak scholarship in 2002 and is the first recipient to later return and join the club. “It’s really a long range membership program disguised as a scholarship program,” joked J.F. Bryan, who introduced Kelsay during the event.
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