Submitted by: Debra Warner, District Governor 2017-2018
Rotary International’s theme for January is Vocational Service. What a fine time to focus on Mary Cavalier who was our district’s Distinguished Rotarian in Vocational Service for 2016-2017. She is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Crookston, served on their board for several years and has worked on all projects that the club does for the community. She traveled and supported her husband Don during his term as District Governor in 2012-2013 and I know having traveled for the past 6 months as District Governor just how I appreciate my husband Ed’s support. She retired after teaching elementary school for 35 years and then was a substitute teacher for another 11 years. During her teaching career, she was the President of the local teacher’s union and was also named the Teacher of the Year for Crookston. After reading what Mary does in her community, you will see why she was the recipient of this award. The first concept of Vocational Service is to “encourage and foster” high ethical standards in our business and professional life which Mary has practiced in all that she has done in her life.
Contributing one’s vocational talents to meeting the needs of the community is another concept of Vocational Service. She has certainly used her vocational talents in her community! She was on the board at the United Way for 8 years and chaired the board for 2 years. Also, she was on the Habitat for Humanity board for 8 years and served one year as their chair. Literacy is important to Mary and she served on the Library C.A.L.L. board for several years. They promote literacy through fun programs to preschool and elementary children. She chaired her club’s Dictionary Committee and the “Fill the Bus” Committee which collects school supplies for local schools every year. She is a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and serves as their co-chair of fund raising where all money raised goes back to the community. Mary served as the auctioneer for several years for the Ken Study Club where all money raised also went back to the community. She is on the board for the aged in Polk County and was their Senior Citizen of the Year in 2015.
A third concept of Vocational Service is to recognize the value of all useful occupations. Mary was on the Board of TRIAD which is a group made up of law enforcement, the fire department and other community members. How wonderful to have everyone working together for the safety of a community.
It is my pleasure to call Mary Cavalier my friend and we are fortunate to have Mary as a Rotarian in our District. Again, congratulations Mary!