| 7/19/2010 |
| Monarch’s Eileen Bress, Rotarian of the Year |
New Bern, NC – Eileen Bress is known by her fellow employees at Monarch as someone who always takes initiative and goes the extra mile. Therefore, it was no surprise to her work peers that the New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club selected Eileen to receive the Rotarian of the Year award.
After her induction in early 2008, Bress quickly became an active Rotarian. She was appointed to the board as Vocational Chairperson in charge of building membership with interested businesses, organizations, and individuals. Bress has also received the Paul Harris Fellowship “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.” Bress has also just stepped into a new role as Secretary of the Club.
Bress speaks highly of her Rotary experience, “Rotary has afforded me the opportunity to extend outside of myself and into the community to offer a hand up, not a handout, to others that can greatly benefit.”
The New Bern Breakfast Rotary Club is known for its’ many positive contributions to the community. From helping businesses leaders network effectively to actively supporting local organizations, the interests of the group are varied and vast. But, one thing the Rotary may yet be known for is its’ ability to bring together more than just prospective members.
During Eileen’s first year with the Club, she met another new member at an event where both parties were asked to introduce themselves to the group in the form of a short presentation. Ken Capps joined Bress at her table and the two immediately hit it off. A courtship ensued, while the couple continued actively supporting the Club through various fundraisers and projects. That is why Ken chose the Rotary meeting as the ideal time and place to propose marriage to Eileen in front of their fellow New Bern club members on August 20, 2009. Ken’s involvement with the Rotary rivaled Eileen’s affording him the New Bern Rotarian of the Year award for 2010 as well. Ken and Eileen received their awards together – just one more special memory as they serve the community together.
Jim Kelley, COO Central and West Division at Monarch applauds Bress’ success, “Eileen is an exemplary staff member and an asset to our team. I am not surprised by her many achievements with the Rotary Club and am happy for her on both a personal and a professional level.”
Monarch provides support and resources to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, and substance abuse issues throughout North Carolina. Monarch is a nonprofit and is an affiliated chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States. To learn more about how Monarch helps “dreams take flight” for people living in our communities, please call 1-800-230-7525 or visit online at www.MonarchNC.org.
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