Collins to receive ‘Champion of Change’ award
Madison County Business League Executive Director Jan Collins said she is extremely proud to be accepting the Women in Rotary’s “Champion of Change” award in March.
“I am so honored to be among the other outstanding recipients throughout our district,” Collins said. “While serving as Program Committee Chairman for the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club for six years, I’ve had the distinct privilege to introduce our members to numerous elected officials, community servants, philanthropists, and business leaders. They presented programs to keep our club members informed and dedicated to timely topics affecting our community.”
“I believe that people are either givers or takers,” Collins said. “Rotary provides opportunities to give back to our community.
Collins is set to receive the prestigious “Champion of Change” award at Rotary District 6820’s 8th Annual “Woman in Rotary Celebration event at the Country Club of Jackson on March 8.
Collins is an active member of the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and has served as program chairman for six years. She received the Madison-Ridgeland Rotary Club James Young Award in 2022, which is the highest honor given to a club member who has demonstrated truly exceptional service.
She is one of four exceptional and distinguished Rotarians selected from the 44 local clubs across 34 counties in Central Mississippi to be honored for outstanding personal and professional accomplishments, community service, and civic contributions.
Event Chair Barbara Travis said the honorees are selected each year based on their excellent and longstanding record of contributions dedicated to the improvement of their communities.
“What they do and what they’ve done for others makes the world a better place,” Travis said.
Travis started the event in 2016, and said she remains overwhelmed and humbled at the ongoing support from local Rotary clubs, the business community, and non-profit partners.
“They come each year to support the honorees and enjoy the music, food, and festivities,” Travis said. “Together, we celebrate Rotary’s focus on ‘service above self’ and invite others to join us.”
Additional “Champion of Change” honorees are Peggy Buckley from the Starkville Rotary Club, and Iris Stacker from the Greenville Rotary Club. Annette Kirklin from the Vicksburg Rotary Club will receive the “Pat Fordice Award for Cultural and Humanitarian Service.”
The keynote speaker for the event is Rep. Robin Robinson of House District 88 in Jones County, and board Chair for Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi.
To purchase tickets for the event, register online at www.rotary6820.org. Registration is $45 and open to Rotarians and non-Rotarians. Call (601) 940-9752 to purchase tables for 8 for $360, or for a corporate sponsorship for $600.