Moses awarded for Rotary service

Published 4:34 pm Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Elizabethton Rotary member Margaret Moses has been named as the district recipient of the Rotary’s 110% Award for Rotary District 7570 Area 14.

“It’s a very big surprise,” Moses said quietly. “It’s an award for those in the whole district, and I’m sure there were a lot more who do more than I do.”

You might forgive other Elizabethton Rotarians for disagreeing. “Margaret was our first female member and joined in 1992,” said Joe Alexander during an undercover email conversation to get Rotarian Connie Whitaker’s nomination of Moses to the right people.

“It was ground-breaking for traditionalists of our club. We had [a few] members drop out because women were being allowed in.”

Alexander said that the addition of Moses has proved her to be one of its most valued members. So much so that Moses has also been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow, awarded for contributions they’ve made or others have made in their name in the amount of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. These funds go toward scholarships.

Moses, who is originally from Maryville, has served as Rotary president, board member and other officer positions, all with years of perfect attendance. Alexander said she secures a number of sponsorships each year, handles the weekly “Betsy Buzzer” and serves as the “unofficial” club photographer for all events.

Moses, who serves the community at her business, Margaret W. Moses CPA PC on Elk Avenue in Elizabethton, said that Rotary has been a very important part of her life. “I enjoy being part of downtown Elizabethton,” she said. “The Rotary is a well-established organization that features a lot of the area’s business leaders who believe in the Rotary motto of ‘service before self.’”

Moses and her husband, Jim, have been married for more than 50 years and live in Boones Creek.

“I’m very honored to be among them and to receive this award. My husband, Jim, is supportive, too, and we’re both glad to be a part of a group that does so much for its community. I’m so very appreciative.”

The Elizabethton Rotary plays a hand in helping many local organizations. Historically, the group has raised money for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, the Elizabethton/Carter County Boys and Girls Club, the Elizabethton/Carter County Library and the Elizabethton/Carter County United Way. It funds scholarships for 4-H clubs, the Boy Scouts, the Girls Scouts and Carter County students to East Tennessee State University, Northeast State Community College and Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

Rotary International has 1.4 million members worldwide giving nearly 47 million volunteer hours each year to the communities they represent. Rotary members belong to the more than 46,000 clubs with the goal of “service before self.” To that end, they strive to “promote peace; fight disease; provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene; save mothers and children; support education; grow local economies and protect the environment.”

The 110% Award is presented by the district governor at the district conference to recognize “one Rotarian in each area who has excelled in carrying out the Rotary Mission by giving 110% effort to strengthening their club, increasing humanitarian service and extending Rotary’s public image,” the Rotary website stated. Each nominee has been a Rotarian for at least two years, held club leadership positions and is on track for leadership opportunities.

Factors considered include the following: