Pictured Left to Right: seated-Mike Meyer, Rotary Club of Savanna President; Ruth Lee, District 6420 Foundation Chair; Helen Kilgore, District 6420 Assistant Governor; Standing-Pat Murphy; Honorary Rotarian and Paul Harris+3 Ann Murphy; Beaver Miller, WCCI.
The Rotary Club of Savanna recently named Ann Murphy as an Honorary Rotarian. This designation is for a person who has distinguished themselves by meritorious service in the furtherance of Rotary ideals. Ann is only the 3rd club member to receive this designation of honor.
Ann joined the Rotary Club of Savanna in 1989, while working at WCCI Radio Station as comptroller, recruited by then President Bill Dayton. Ann became the clubs first female president in 1993. At the local level she served on the board for many years, was involved in chartering the Al Cini Memorial Interact Club at the Savanna High School. That club is still active at the West Carroll High School. She also was involved in the club foundation which provides scholarships each year to Savanna and now to West Carroll High School seniors. Ann and her husband Pat hosted three longer term Rotary Exchange Students and two short term Rotary Exchange Students over the years. Ann has been involved in many fundraisers over the years that have helped to fund local grant projects and scholarships.
Ann has been a leader in the Rotary Club of Savanna. Ann was also involved in with several Rotary District 6420 responsibilities including Assistant District Governor, District Trainer, District Governors Advisory Council, Financial Council and Scholarship Selection Committee. When Rotary District 6420 teamed up with Districts from Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, Ann was there to help plan and coordinate. This is now one of the largest trainings for incoming club presidents in the United States.
Ann’s dedication to Rotary, its beliefs and the good that the Foundation does, is also recognized by the achievement of her Paul Harris +3. This means that her financial accumulative giving has helped individuals worldwide, with the eradication of Polio being one of the key focus points that the Foundation addresses. Currently there are only 5 known cases of Polio worldwide. The Foundation supports projects in six areas of focus: Peace and conflict preventions/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and lastly economic and community development.