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Bigfork’s Howlett Honored as ‘Rotarian of the Year’

Heather Howlett was honored for her commitment and involvement in Rotary International for over 15 years

By Beacon Staff

Bigfork resident Heather Howlett was named the Rotarian of the Year at the recent annual statewide conference in Kalispell.

Howlett was honored for her commitment and involvement in Rotary International for over 15 years. She is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Bigfork and has served twice as president. In recent years, she spearheaded a cooperative fundraiser and community event with the Rotary Club of Evergreen to bring the Harlem Ambassadors to Kalispell last Spring. In Bigfork, she coordinated the effort to start the Rotary Club of Bigfork’s weekend food backpack program at the school. She has served numerous years on the club’s board and is a current board member of the Bigfork Rotary Foundation.

On the state level, most notably, since 2003 she has played an integral role in the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy in which high school students attend a week-long leadership summer camp. Currently she is an advisor for the Interact Club, which is the high school version of Rotary. Other service includes being an assistant district governor from 2004-2007.

As a long-time and active member in rotary, she is a trainer/facilitator for incoming club presidents at the annual president elect training conference that currently takes place in Denver for multi-state Districts of Rotary International.

The Montana District of Rotary International encompasses the State of Montana and has over 1,650 members in over 40 clubs. Rotary International’s motto is “Service Above Self” and is a global network of 1.2 million with over 35,000 club worldwide including Montana. For over 110 years, the guiding principles of Rotary have been the foundation of its values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership. Clubs work together to take action on promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies.