Rotary installs new officers, names ‘Citizen of the Year’

Dave Guerrero, right, receives the Rotarian of the Year award last Tuesday at the Pacific Islands Club, during the Rotary Club of Saipan’s installation of new officers and directors. At left is past Rotary Club president Greg Borja. (Photos by REICA RAMIREZ)

The Rotary Club of Saipan installed new officers and directors last Tuesday at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan, during which the club also named and presented awards to its Rotarian of the Year and Citizen of the Year.

Marcia Ayuyu is the club’s new president. Dave Guerrero was recognized as Rotarian of the Year, while Mount Carmel School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero was recognized as its Citizen of the Year.

The club’s other new officers are Sean Ficke as vice president, Tatiana Babauta as secretary, Guerrero as treasurer, and Curtis Dancoe as sergeant-at-arms.

The president-elect is Sonya Dancoe.

The club’s new directors are Irene Holl for club service, Brian Clayton for community service, Greg Borja for international service, Agnes McPhetres for the Rotary Foundation, Wendell Posadas for vocational service, and Ivan Ilmov for new generation.

In her first speech as the club’s new president, Ayuyu outlined several goals she plans to achieve during her term. That includes increasing the number of club members, the club adopting two more bus stops to maintain, and installing the Rotary Club of Saipan flag at the airport.

Galvin Deleon Guerrero speaks after being recognized as the Rotary Club of Saipan Citizen of the Year.

Additionally, Ayuyu encouraged her fellow Rotarians to “double the commitment to better our community for the present and future generations.” She asked them to remember why they joined the club in the first place.

“Our service connects us to people who share our values, who want to take action for a better world. It connects us to people who need our help, allowing us to change lives in our community,”Ayuyu said as she explained the year’s theme: “Rotary connects the world.”

Guerrero, who was honored as the Rotarian of the Year for his commitment and leadership, said, “I’m the outgoing treasurer and the incoming treasurer at the same time. So I haven’t left my duties. I look forward to serving the club.”

The new officers and directors pose for a photo. From left: Superior Court Associate Judge Perry Inos, who swore in the new officers; Brian Clayton, Agnes McPhetres, Sean Ficke, Sonya Dancoe, Tatiana Babauta, Marcia Ayuyu, Dave Guerrero, Irene Holl, Curtis Dancoe, Wendell Posadas, and Greg Borja.

Deleon Guerrero, who was chosen as Citizen of the Year for his commitment to learning, achievements in education, and his dedication to teach, coach, and mentor students, said his greatest reward is “seeing his older students succeed long after school, whether as pioneers in business, innovators in education, or leaders in our community.”

This award is voted on by the council of past presidents.

Mike Sablan, a past president, said the club has recognized a Citizen of the Year since 1980. “Every year, [the council of past presidents] has bestowed our club’s highest honor upon one individual in our community,” Sablan said.

Marcia Ayuyu delivers her message as the new Rotary Club of Saipan president.