PRESS RELEASE

WOODSTOCK, GA (Nov. 21, 2022) – Two Towne Lake Rotarians were recognized during the Nov. 17 meeting with club level awards.

Brooke Anderson was presented with the Robert S. Stubbs Guardian of Ethics Award, and Erika Neldner was bestowed the W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award. Both Rotarians now will be nominated for the respective awards on the district level.

“Both these ladies show the value and the importance of the business community’s support of Rotary,” said President Jim Klynman.

Robert S. Stubbs Guardian of Ethics Award

The Guardian of Ethics Award, named for Rotary Club of Canton Rotarian Robert S. (Bob) Stubbs II, was established to encourage and promote ideals of ethics in all vocations in District 6910. This Vocational Service award identifies a Rotarian who exemplifies the attributes and passion for ethics in his or her vocation, business and personal life that Bob Stubbs so exemplified.

Anderson is a lieutenant with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and has served in the Rotary Club of Towne Lake since January 2018. She currently serves as the Club’s Foundation Chair.

Anderson was selected because of her selfless dedication to not only the Rotary Club of Towne Lake, but also the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office, her community and her family.

“I am so grateful to be recognized with the Guardian of Ethics Award. I was raised to always do the right thing and be honest to yourself and others,” Anderson said. “It is important personally and professionally. What I do and how I act is reflective on me and my profession. I love Rotary and what it is about. Most people see me as just an officer. My fellow Rotarians see me as a whole person, not just the person wearing the uniform. I am truly honored to receive this award.”

“Brooke has the ultimate integrity in her work life, her commitment and work for the Rotary Club of Towne Lake and her family life,” Klynman said. “Have we ever been lucky as she has become an outstanding member taking the lead of our Foundation Committee and all projects related to it.”

W. Lee Arrendale Vocational Excellence Award

Rotary International District 6910 and the Rotary Club of Habersham County established the W. Lee Arrendale Award during Rotary year 1990-91 as part of the District’s ongoing efforts in its vocational service program. Arrendale was an effective leader and worker in poultry associations but also worked extensively as a Rotarian, community leader and business leader.

The award recognizes the service of the recipient to the community through excellence in one’s vocation and promotes high ethical standards in the community by recognizing those individuals who most highly exhibit Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

Neldner is the director of communications for Cherokee County. In her role, she helps manage internal and external communications for departments that fall under the Board of Commissioners, including media releases, social media and marketing materials. Prior to joining the county, Neldner spent more than four years in the marketing department at Reinhardt University and more than a decade as a community journalist as a reporter, assistant managing editor and managing editor.

She has been a Towne Lake Rotarian since August 2015 and has been the public image chair for seven years. She also was the 2019-2020 club president.

Neldner utilizes her media and communications skills in Rotary by managing the Club’s social media and online presence, as well as all communication with the local media. She also designs club brochures and event marketing materials.

In addition to her professional career and work with Rotary, Neldner has volunteered with Hobgood Baseball All-Stars and Georgia Academy Baseball, where her sons have played baseball. She organized and executed fundraising events and managed teams’ social media and media presence.

“Erika has often told the story of getting involved with Rotary Club of Towne Lake because of work. She not only joined, but jumped in with both feet becoming a consummate volunteer on almost every project our Club does, has always been our ‘go-to’ member for anything in the social media realm and in publicizing the Club,” Klynman said. “Additionally, she has risen up the ranks of leadership to ultimately become our President. And all of this was accomplished while working full time and being our Club’s #1 Baseball Mom.”

Learn More

To learn more about the Rotary Club of Towne Lake and how you can support the Towne Lake Rotary Foundation, please visit townelakerotary.org.

Interested in speaking with someone or visiting, email townelakerotary@gmail.com.

About the Rotary Club of Towne Lake

The Rotary Club of Towne Lake meets every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Tavern at Towne Lake. The Club performs community service throughout the year, including monthly food box deliveries from Never Alone to Colbert Square. The Club’s main fundraiser for the Towne Lake Rotary Club Foundation, a 501c3, is held each November at the Towne Lake Hills Golf Club. Learn more at townelakerotary.org, email townelakerotary@gmail.com, or follow @TowneLakeRotary on Instagram and Facebook.