Just over a year after joining, Joycelin makes Rotary history
Shrewsbury Severn Rotary makes history as woman chairs club meeting for first time
A Shropshire Rotary club has broken a new record.
For the first time in the near 40-year history of Shrewsbury Severn Rotary a female has chaired a club meeting.
The honour has fallen to Joycelin Hoyland who joined the club just over a year ago.
In the absence of president Johnathan Callwood, she took the chair at the club’s last meeting which included several items of business as well as the introduction of a guest speaker.
It was also an occasion when no fewer than four females were also present – including a prospective member.
Afterwards, Joycelin said: “I was pleased to be given the opportunity to chair the meeting, where the members were very supportive and helped to ensure I got things right! “
Junior vice president Joycelin is in line for the presidency in 2028 or 2029 and present incumbent Johnathan said: “This is precisely the calibre of new member we are recruiting. Our current recruitment process bodes well for the future.
“Joycelin has also been widely praised for a radio interview she has given which featured our recruitment process as well as our fundraising performance.
“Our members have tremendous life experience. Joycelin has an incredible CV and is willing and able to give something back to the community.
“This club gives her the opportunity to put this experience to the test. By taking this meeting she has single handedly made our club more equal, more diverse and definitely more fun!”
And he added: “The radio interview success just puts the icing on the cake.”