Durant McArthur, PhD, of St. George was recently installed
as 2013-14 President of the 60-member Rotary Club of St. George, assuming
duties and responsibilities from outgoing President Phillip Hall, DDS.
Prior to passing the gavel, Hall noted how the informal
leadership style of his board had resulted in several positive changes to the
club’s structure and programming, including reorganization of board
assignments, review and update of club bylaws, successful grant writing,
stronger youth programs and additional boots on the ground for the Guatemala
stove project and other service in that
country.
McArthur, who reminded club members he is “a better writer
than I am a speaker,” is an emeritus natural resource scientist who returned to
his hometown in 2008 after a successful career with the research branch of the
USDA Forest Service, mostly at the Shrub Sciences Laboratory on the campus of
Brigham Young University. A past member
of four Rotary clubs from a dedicated Rotary family, the new St. George president
considered himself a “back bencher” in some of his previous service but
promised to step up.
McArthur pledged to follow in the distinguished footsteps of
his father and two of his three brothers, all who previously served in the
club’s top spot and other outstanding club presidents. His late father Eldon also served as Utah
Rotary District Governor in 1986-87.
The new president will be assisted in his duties by board
members: Secretary-Treasurer Richard
Isom; President-Elect Bette Arial who
will manage youth activities and
functions; Linda Sappington who will be responsible for public relations; Janet
O’Riley who will manage club administration;
Collin Davis who oversees
fund-raising;, Sheldon Banks who will oversee service activities. Phil Hall will continue in a leadership role
as chairman of the club’s foundation and immediate past president; and Nick
Lang will be responsible for membership activities.
