Members of the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset display their “award frisbees” at the recent 2017 Rotary District 5000 annual conference. Pictured (from left) are: top row — Phylecia Platte, Mariko Higashi, Heidi Dollinger, Katie Zimmerman, Liz May and Sandy Schneider; bottom row — Joanne and Larry Laird.

LAHAINA – For the second consecutive year, the Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset has been named small club of the year at the Rotary International 2017 District 5000 Conference. District Governor Clint Schroeder presented the award on the final day of the conference, which took place on May 19-21 at the Sheraton Maui Resort, Kaanapali.

Clubs were judged in several categories for final determination of the club of the year award. To be considered, Rotary Club presidents from across the state submitted information on their club’s activities during the Rotary International year, July 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017.

The submissions and one-page narratives were then reviewed and rated by presidents in categories other than their own.

Award “frisbee” patches were presented to first runner-up and first place in each size division for six categories: community service, club service, vocational service, youth service, international service, and public image.

Lahaina Sunset won small club of the year for earning first place awards in public image, vocational, club and international service and first runner-up awards for community and youth service. The club also received the prestigious District Governor’s Citation.

Small clubs are defined as having 29 members or less. There are 31 small clubs in District 5000.

“The Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset is honored to receive this award for the second year in a row,” said Interim President Joanne Laird.

“Our small club of nine men and 18 women give freely of their time and talents and work tirelessly to serve the West Maui community,” said Laird.

“Their dedication truly demonstrates the Rotary motto of ‘service above self. ‘ “

Ten of the 51 clubs that make up Rotary District 5000 are located on Maui and Lanai. Rotary is a leadership organization made up of local business, professional and civic leaders.

Members meet regularly, form friendships and participate in projects that serve their community. For more information, contact Laird at 757-0981 or mamalrd01@gmail.com.