Photography by Donna Huffman
ou like me, you really like me, is what Karen Lavery said as she accepted her award as Rotarian of the Year at the Bluffton Rotary Club's Charter Night party. It is comparable to a People's Choice Award in that all club members vote with secret ballots. To be chosen Rotarian of the Year is a very high honor to bestow upon one of their fellow members.
The Bluffton Rotary Club voted Karen Rotarian of the Year for her dedication to Rotary and community involvement. The award is presented to the Rotarian who best exemplifies the motto "Service Above Self," both as a well-rounded Rotarian and as someone who transcends the motto outside of Rotary. Karen has been a Rotarian in good standing for years, and has served her club in many ways.
Karen's strong and positive attitude is inspirational and her fun loving sense of humor is refreshing. We were delighted to get up close and personal with such a fine Bluffton lady.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Maine, but I'm an Air Force "brat," so I was raised all over the United States. By the time my Dad retired, I had crisscrossed the United States 8 times.
Tell us about your family.
I have two daughters, Laura, who lives in Charleston, and Crissy who lives in Washington DC. I have two younger sisters, Susan is in St Cloud, Florida and Debbie lives in Abingdon, Virginia. My parents came from pretty big families, and I had 40 aunts and uncles when I was growing up. I had 45 first cousins, and now I have countless second, third and fourth cousins. How long have you been living in the Lowcountry? I moved to the Lowcountry in 1985 so I have been here quite awhile. We moved here from Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. What a culture shock that was!
What sparked your interest in joining the Bluffton Rotary Club?
I was working for a bank and they wanted some representation in the Bluffton market, so I was asked if I would like to become a Rotarian. At the time I had little knowledge of what a Rotarian was.
Once you decided to join, what were your first steps?
One of my customers at the bank sponsored me, and I started going to meetings, and I kept going to meetings for about six months, plus working fundraisers. I was told not to sit at the same table each week. By doing this I got to know all the Rotarians. I really enjoy meeting so many interesting people from Bluffton. I had no idea it would take me so long to get into the club, but it was well worth the wait.
How many members were in the club then and how many board positions have you held ?
I'm not sure how many members were in the club then, maybe 60. We met at the Baptist Church at the time. After two years I was elected to the position of treasurer. I served 3, one-year terms in that position. The next year I was President Elect, President, and then Foundation Chairman for 3 years. Currently I hold the position as District Secretary/ Social Chairman.
What were your first club responsibilities?
My very first responsibility was as coordinator of the M.C. Riley Student of the Month program. I think that was the year after my daughter Crissy was chosen as a student of the month.
What do think is extraordinary about the Bluffton Rotary Club?
One of the best aspects of our Rotary Club is that we have members of all ages. From their middle twenties on up through retirement age. Most club's members are, hmmmm... how shall I say this? Well, they don't have the wonderful age diversity that we have.
The Bluffton Club members do a lot of behind the scenes type of volunteer activities as well as more high profile projects. What are some of the less well known ones?
Two projects come to mind: Happy Feet - where we team up with Payless shoe stores and buy a pair of new shoes for underprivileged children in our area at the start of the new school year. And, we also participate in the ringing the Salvation Army bell from Thanksgiving until Christmas at Kroger's.
After all the years in the Bluffton Rotary, please describe your most memorable endeavors.
Goodness, I have enjoyed all the things that we do in Rotary. It's hard to think of one in particular. I think one of the best would be the Fireside Chats. We would divide the club into four or five groups and go to a Rotarian's house for drinks, dinner or snacks and discuss a topic of concern for our club. The most memorable Fireside Chat was at an ex- Rotarian's house in Moss Creek.
You are an inspiration to other female Rotarians. Have you found it diffi cult as a female in an otherwise male dominated organization?
Not really, once you gain their respect, it is pretty easy sailing. I think that some of the older members may have had difficulty accepting women in Rotary, but for the most part it's been good. The newer members don't even realize that it wasn't that long ago that women weren't allowed in Rotary. I think when I joined the Bluffton Rotary there were only 5 women in the club.
We know you are Rotarian of the year and that you are very devoted to our community, but I hope you don't mind if I get a little more personal. I'd like to know a little about you outside of Rotary.
What is your favorite style of music and your favorite movie?
I like all types of music, except rap. I guess my favorite would be beach music. I don't go to the movies often, but my current favorite is Hangover, how could you not laugh at that movie? I'm a real sucker for chick flicks and I love old movies. My favorites include: The Trouble with Angels, Love Story and Splendor in the Grass, Summer Place and White Christmas.
What is the last book you read?
The Invisible Wall by Harry Bernstein. It's a love story that broke barriers between Christians and Jews.
What has been your favorite vacation?
When I was a child, we lived in California, close to Yosemite National Park and we would go camping there quite often. One year when my daughters were preteens we went back and it was still as spectacular as I remembered. We spent a few days visiting all the historic parks, forts and monuments in California that I visited as a child.
If you could invite four people, dead or alive, to a dinner party, who would they be?
My parents and my two daughters. My parents died when my girls were babies and they never got to know one another. I would love my parents to meet them and see what wonderful adults they have become.
You've been in Bluffton a long time. What do you think about the changes?
I have mixed feelings about the changes. I love that we no longer need to go to Savannah to shop or even to the Island for that matter. I miss the days when we could go anywhere in Bluffton and know just about everyone.
What are the things you love about Bluffton?
That's easy: the Maye River, the Sandbar, the Bluffton Village Festival and of course, the Bluffton Rotary Club.
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