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Utilizing its unique mix of humor and traditions, Rotary of Morristown installed a new round of officers and directors on Wednesday.

New president Todd Quillen, who will serve the 2023-24 club year, was presented the official gavel by outgoing president Justin Cook.

Cook charged club membership with continuing to be a vibrant club that is flourishing and creates a lasting impact in the community.

“This is a special day, a bittersweet day, but I’m really excited for Todd and the future of our club,” he said.

After the official installation that included the handing over of the club gavel, Quillen joked to members from the podium, “What have you all done?”

“It really is truly an honor to be standing amongst you guys as the next Rotary president. First, I want to thank Justin – and then looking back over the past presidents, those are some big shoes to fill. Justin, you did a great job, not only in bringing two clubs together to form one – that was a huge responsibility and, man, you did handle it flawlessly.

“You also helped me transition into taking this job and what to prepare, so if anything goes wrong it’s Justin’s fault.”

He added a statement of gratitude to the club members, and to those who volunteered to serve as officers and directors.

“It was a tremendous outpouring of support once I became president-elect,” Quillen said. “People came up and asked, ‘How can I help?’ That tells me how much your spirit is to serve and that means a lot to me. With that being said, to our new Rotary board, thank you for getting on this crazy ride. I look forward to what we are going to accomplish, with you volunteering your time and your experience.

“Rotary is about service above self, so let’s work together this year to make a positive impact on our community, to continue to make a difference in peoples’ lives. Paul Harris said, ‘Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves. So let’s try to do something this year.”

Quillen later addressed the challenges the club faces, simlar to what many civic organizations experience.

“I was more shocked when we looked at membership,” Quillen said. “I would like to see that grow. I would like to see younger members be more active, the older members take them under their wing.”

He recognized new Service Committee Chair Mark Hurst and expressed gratitude to former Chair Gordon Lintz, who served in the role for 10 years and will serve as an advisor to Hurst.

“Of course, Mark has been around the Club for a while, but the service committee is such a tough one; he’s going to have to form a team as well,” Quillen said.

“I was astounded by how many people volunteered to serve this year. Continue with that in your heart. Continue to volunteer. Continue to help Mark and help the whole team out.”

Quillen announced a Fifth Thursday networking and social gathering will be held in August and encouraged members to invite guests. The social will be held at The Country Club.

Don Baldus, past assistant governor and current special advisor to the club, installed the incoming president, officers and directors.

To the new officers and directors he said, “You have been elected to important positions in the administration of the Rotary Club of Morristown,” Baldus said. We believe this is an indication of your fellow Rotarians’ esteem and confidence in each of you. We believe you will uphold the high traditions of our Club, that you will give the best of your executive ability to the furtherance of the interests of our club and the carrying forward of the object of Rotary.

Officers and Directors for the 2023-24 term are: Drew Rowe, president nominee; Amy Hemminger, club secretary and 501-C3 treasurer; Victoria Bowen, club administration; Jessica Rich, general club treasurer; Mary Kathryn Coffman, public relations; Julio Rivera, Rotary Foundation; Conrad Brimall, New Generations; Mark Hurst, Service Committee chair; Drew Rowe, club membership; Arnold ‘Arnie’ Bunch, Sergeant At Arms; Paul LeBel, club awards; Laurie Smith, club bulletin and Don Baldus, Special Advisor.