Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club Celebrates 50 years with Anniversary Gala
Mandeville – The Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club celebrated 50 years of Service Above Self at their Gold and White Anniversary Gala Friday, September 6, 2024, at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville.
The celebration included reflection by current club President Ted Dittmer, on the history of Rotary, and a personal update and testimony to the impact of Rotary’s scholarship program and mentorship from Afshin Salehi, M.D., M.S., a former Rotary Scholarship recipient (2003), and pediatric neurosurgeon at Children’s Nebraska, in Omaha. The evening culminated with guest speaker Norman Robinson, a fellow Rotarian, past president of the New Orleans Rotary Club, and retired long-time news anchor from WDSU.
Robinson spoke to the work that Rotarians do, the Rotary motto — Service Above Self — and said that his time in Rotary was by far the most important work he has ever done. “When I retired from television news, I decided that I would do only positive things, because when I meet St. Peter at the pearly gates, I want him to welcome me in,” Robinson continued. “This work is by far the most important work I have ever done.” Approximately 90 guests attended the celebratory event. Incoming President-elect Chase Villeret closed the evening’s program with a toast and guests then lingered to enjoy a celebratory cake and dance to the Groovy 7 Trio.
The flagship program of the Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club is their scholarship program. Rotary selects four graduating seniors from local high schools for whom the scholarship will have the "greatest impact." These high school seniors are awarded $12,000 college scholarships at the annual scholarship banquet held in May. The students return every year to update the Rotary about their college careers and accomplishments. To date Northlake Mandeville Rotary has awarded over $500,000 to over 60 local students.
To learn more about how to become a member of Rotary, visit: Northlake Mandeville Rotary Club .
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The Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club monthly luncheon on May 30 — held on the exact date the club installed its first officers in 1974 — celebrated the organization’s 50th anniversary of “service above self” to the community.
The event at Beau Chene Country Club brought together 17 past presidents that included John Pleune, the group’s first president. Pleune received the prestigious Paul Harris Award, named for Rotary’s founder.
The luncheon included a video highlighting some of the service projects that the club participated in recent years. The group is planning an anniversary gala on Sept. 6 at Benedict’s Plantation in Mandeville.
“I’m proud to be a part of a group that does so much for the community,” said current public relations officer Renee Seruntine, who has been a member of the organization for a year. “I wanted to volunteer and get involved in the community, and there is no better place to do that than Rotary.”
She said as a veteran and current active member of the Army National Guard, she appreciates the Rotary Club’s dedication to service and the diversity of projects available to members.
The Northlake-Mandeville Rotary club currently supports almost two dozen nonprofit organizations that tackle issues including homelessness, hunger and food insecurity, abuse, autism, foster care, domestic violence, youth programs, literacy, disaster relief, mental health, suicide prevention, and nature and wildlife perseveration. The group also places American flags throughout the community five times throughout the year
Seruntine said she is especially proud of the Rotary Club scholarship program and its contribution to help Mandeville-area high school students. In its 26th year, the scholarship program awarded $51,000 in 2024 to six high school seniors entering college in the fall.
“The scholarship program is a hallmark of our club, and it is still growing from when we started with a single endowment,” said Northlake-Mandeville Rotary Club President Laurie Pennison.
She said club members love having the scholarship recipients return for a meeting to report on their college experiences. “It is so encouraging to see all the accomplishments of these young people,” Pennison said.
Pennison said the club has given special focus in recent years to issues relating to mental health including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Safe Haven, where the club both built a playground and new pavilion, then repaired the pavilion after damage from Hurricane Ida.
Pennison said that members can find an outlet for volunteering whatever their passion. “We truly embody our motto of ‘Service Above Self.’ No matter how you are looking to serve, we can help. Just pick your slot.”
For information about the recent 50th anniversary luncheon or the upcoming gala, mandevillerotary.org
Each year the Northlake Mandeville club sends Rising Seniors to a leadership camp hosted by Rotary District 6840 which is comprised of Rotary clubs in South Mississippi and Eastern/Southern Louisiana. About 65 campers from the District attend. This year our club sent 7 students. During the five day camp, students hear nationally known speakers, and work and compete in small groups. The first third of the camp focuses on getting to know the individual, since an individual can lead best when they know their own strengths and weaknesses and have self confidence. The second third focuses on how to best lead groups. The last third centers on "Service above Self" (the Rotary Motto), showing that service to others provides a path to true joy and happiness. Each of the students described the Leadership camp as a "Life Changing Experience."
Service Above Self
Mandeville, LA 70471
United States of America