Midwest City Rotary Club installs new leadership

By Jeff Harrison

Midwest City Beacon

The Midwest City Rotary Club had a changing of the guard last week as it installed new leadership and reflected on the past year.

Ben Osenga was installed as the club’s new president for 2024-25 during the weekly meeting at Wickline United Methodist Church in Midwest City.

Osenga replaces Brittany Byers who led the club for the past year.

Byers said serving as president is a lot of work and thanked fellow Rotarians and her family for support.

She highlighted many of the club’s events over the past year including the shrimp boil, flag program, shoes for children, Carl Albert Student Rotarians and Midwest City Interact programs, and Wings of Rotary student exchange.

“I think that we have a really, really great club and I’m excited to see where we go in the future,” Byers said.

Several awards were presented for outstanding service, community service, fundraising, and attendance. Members who helped with the shrimp boil, flag program, Boys and Girls Club were recognized.

Byers presented individual awards to Randy Smith (Above and Beyond), Margaret Mueller (Service Through Rotary) and Chili McQuillar (I Love Rotary).

“Randy does more than we all know in this club,” Byers said. “When he was out of town for a couple weeks and I was just picking up the mail for him, and I saw all the bank statements come in, all the flag renewals, all the invoices, all the money, and all the stuff he has to do. If anyone ever takes over this position it is huge, huge shoes to fill.”

“Margaret does so much behind the scenes,” Byers said. “When she took over as secretary, she made sure all the speakers get a thank you. She makes sure makes sure when people aren’t here that we check on them. If you need something, she will be there. She has a huge heart, and we appreciate her so much.”

“Chili is everywhere doing everything all of the time,” Byers said. “From our own membership to the district membership, to all the stuff he does here and for all the other clubs, he just exudes how much he loves Rotary,” Byers said.

Perfect Attendance: Brittany Byers, Billy Cox, Austin Fisher, Chili McQuillar, Margaret Mueller, Ken Newey, Sally Newey, Jay Orr, Ben Osenga, Randy Smith, Tony Thomas, and Oscar Womack. Members can make up missed meetings by attending other Rotary events.

The top individual awards were Rotarian of the Year and Rising Star.

Kirit Bhakta was awarded the Rotarian of the Year. He’s helped with club administration, shrimp boil, students and more.

“He is like a quiet Rotarian behind the scenes, you never know what he’s doing,” Byers said. “He really stepped up with the club admin. He helps with the shrimp boil. He asks when he can be there for things. He made sure all of the students that helped at the shrimp boil felt that they did something. And he does much more.”

Marc Thompson was presented with the Rising Star Award which is given to an outstanding new member. Thompson was active with club administration, shrimp boil and students.

“He helps in every way that he can and he’s bringing in new members when he himself is a newer member,” Byer said.

Byers also thanked her mother Debbie Smith, husband Dallas and son Dash.

“I could not do this without them,” she said.

Osenga introduced the 2024-25 Midwest City Rotary board. It includes president Ben Osenga, sergeant at arms Oscar Womack, past president Brittany Byers, president elect Billy Cox, vice president Marc Thompson, secretary Margaret Mueller, treasurer Randy Smith, program director Hank Martin, foundation director Brian Stephens, membership director Chili McQuillar, public relations Kelly Potter, service director Austin Fisher, and directors Jay Orr and Clay Pope.