Zachary Rotary Club

Zachary Rotary Club Rotary brings together community leaders from all continents, cultures, and occupations to share their ideas for making the world a better place.

Ben Necaise, Superintendent of Education for Zachary Community Schools, spoke at this week’s Zachary Rotary Club meeting...
06/04/2026

Ben Necaise, Superintendent of Education for Zachary Community Schools, spoke at this week’s Zachary Rotary Club meeting about the Zachary Forward Community School District Initiative, which will be on the ballot June 27.

Also in attendance and showing strong support for the initiative were Mayor David McDavid, Metropolitan Councilman Brandon Noel, Rotary Club President Tamara Dayton, and Zachary Community School Board Members Marty Hughes, Jr. and Ryan Talbot, all fellow Rotarians.

Superintendent Necaise explained that the initiative is NOT a new tax, but a reallocation of existing millages to support teacher and employee compensation. He also highlighted the district’s recent success, noting that Zachary Community School District performed exceptionally well on the 2025 Educational Scorecard, which measures 3rd through 8th grade assessment data. Zachary students outperformed 90% of districts nationwide in reading and ranked #1 among neighboring districts and parishes—including Ascension, St. Tammany, West Feliciana, Livingston, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, East Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, and Pointe Coupee—in both reading and math.

These outstanding results reflect the hard work and dedication of students, teachers, school leaders, support staff, families, and the entire community. This year alone, one Zachary student graduated with an Associate Degree—an incredible achievement that allows them to enter college ahead and continue toward a Master’s degree with the support of TOPS scholarships.

Superintendent Necaise encouraged Rotarians to vote on June 27, emphasizing the importance of maintaining competitive salaries for teachers and staff as the district continues “Reaching for Higher Education.”

The City of Zachary Mayor McDavid also urged support, noting that the strength of the school system has been a key driver of Zachary’s economic success and growth. "Zachary has thrived because of its schools, let’s continue that success and keep moving forward together, said Mayor McDavid."

Today’s speaker at the Zachary Rotary Club luncheon was Joel Dicharry, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Commission M...
05/28/2026

Today’s speaker at the Zachary Rotary Club luncheon was Joel Dicharry, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Commission Mankind, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing clean water and hope to vulnerable communities around the world.

Joel, along with his wife Joye, founded Commission Mankind in 2019 after years of participating in international mission trips, where they witnessed firsthand the critical need for access to clean water in underserved areas. In 2020, they moved their family of nine to Kenya, where they encountered powerful stories of faith, resilience, and God’s provision while working to establish sustainable water solutions for communities in need.

Under Joel’s leadership, Commission Mankind has implemented clean water projects in more than 12 countries, serving some of the world’s most at-risk populations through community wells, solar-powered water systems, and strong partnerships with local leaders.

A missionary evangelist at heart, Joel is deeply passionate about serving the poor, reaching forgotten communities, and building meaningful partnerships that create lasting impact. Commission Mankind continues to connect compassionate individuals with opportunities to make a difference around the globe.

This week at Rotary Club of Zachary, we were honored to hear from Michelle Gwyn, Rotarian and owner of Southern Clinical...
05/22/2026

This week at Rotary Club of Zachary, we were honored to hear from Michelle Gwyn, Rotarian and owner of Southern Clinical Research. Michelle shared an informative presentation about the importance of clinical research trials and the role they play in advancing medicine and improving patient care.

She discussed how clinical trials help researchers evaluate new medications, treatments, and medical devices while ensuring patient safety through carefully monitored studies. Michelle also highlighted how participation in research can provide patients access to emerging therapies and contribute to medical breakthroughs that benefit communities everywhere.

For the past 16 years, Michelle and Southern Clinical Research have been serving the Zachary community through their commitment to healthcare innovation and research. We appreciate Michelle taking the time to educate our club and for the positive impact her work continues to make locally and beyond.

Pic L-R Michelle Gwyn and Rotary President Tamara Dayton

🎓 Zachary Rotary Club Scholarship Awards 🎓The Zachary Rotary Club is proud to support and recognize outstanding students...
05/20/2026

🎓 Zachary Rotary Club Scholarship Awards 🎓

The Zachary Rotary Club is proud to support and recognize outstanding students who embody the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self,” and make a positive impact in our community.

Our scholarship program honors students who demonstrate:
✨ Academic achievement
✨ Leadership
✨ Commitment to community service

We are excited to announce that the 2026 Service Above Self Scholarship was awarded to Zachary High School graduate Jake Curry.

In addition, the Rotary Club proudly presented two Overcomer Scholarships to Angel Jeasonne and Karsyn Rish, two remarkable young women who have shown incredible resilience, perseverance, and strength in the face of challenges. Their journeys remind us that it’s not the obstacles we face, but how we rise above them that truly defines us.

These scholarships were presented by Rotary Club President Tamara Dayton during last night’s Zachary High School Awards Ceremony.

The Zachary Rotary Club is honored to invest in the futures of these exceptional students and looks forward to all they will accomplish. 💙

Today at the Zachary Rotary Club Luncheon, Billy Conerly, ER Department Director at Lane Regional Medical Center, spoke ...
05/14/2026

Today at the Zachary Rotary Club Luncheon, Billy Conerly, ER Department Director at Lane Regional Medical Center, spoke to Rotarians on “When Seconds Matter: What Happens Inside Your Local Emergency Room.”

He provided an inside look at how patients are triaged using the Emergency Severity Index and how emergency rooms manage patient surges. Lane Regional’s Emergency Room operates with just 21 beds, making efficiency and prioritization critical to patient care. Interestingly, the busiest times in the ER are between 10:00 p.m. and midnight.

Billy also shared some common myths vs. realities about ER care:
• What you see on TV is true — No
• Patients are seen in order of arrival — Patients are prioritized based on medical urgency
• An empty waiting room means the ER isn’t busy — Staff may be treating critical patients behind closed doors
• Ambulance patients are always treated first — All patients are evaluated and triaged the same way; when the ER is full, ambulance patients may also wait
• Patients with insurance receive VIP treatment — All patients are treated equally with quality, dignity, and respect

He emphasized why speed matters, especially in stroke care. Medical professionals often say, “Time is Brain,” because fast treatment can significantly reduce disability. Early intervention, including clot-busting medications and mechanical clot removal, can restore blood flow and save lives.

Attendees also learned how to recognize stroke symptoms, including:
• Face drooping
• Arm weakness or numbness
• Speech difficulty or confusion
• Vision changes
• Loss of balance or dizziness
• Sudden severe headache

It was a very informative presentation highlighting both the challenges and successes of emergency medical care in our community.

At the Zachary Rotary Club luncheon, Marshall Walters, Chief of Police for the LSU Police Department, addressed Rotarian...
05/04/2026

At the Zachary Rotary Club luncheon, Marshall Walters, Chief of Police for the LSU Police Department, addressed Rotarians about the scope and demands of campus safety operations.

The department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a staff of 60 commissioned police officers and 12 non-commissioned security officers. They are responsible for patrolling approximately 1,200 acres on the main campus of Louisiana State University, which includes more than 530 buildings.

For Spring 2026, LSU’s enrollment stands at 41,750 students, with a daily campus population of around 50,000. On football game days, that number surges dramatically, with between 120,000 and 200,000 people on campus—making LSU’s gameday population the 8th or 9th largest in the state.

To manage these crowds, approximately 500 officers are deployed on game days to handle traffic and security. The largest crowd on record occurred during a Southern vs. LSU matchup, drawing an estimated 250,000 attendees.

Karron Alford, Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, spoke at the Zachary Rotary Club luncheo...
04/23/2026

Karron Alford, Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Louisiana Office of Tourism, spoke at the Zachary Rotary Club luncheon today. She was accompanied by Heather Prejean of Advertising & Campaigns with the Louisiana Office of Tourism.

Alford provided an overview of the tourism office, which operates with a staff of just 30 people. She explained that the Office of Louisiana Tourism’s primary mission is to maintain and grow leisure travel and spending across the state, targeting both domestic and international visitors, as well as Louisiana residents.

In 2024, Louisiana welcomed 44.5 million visitors, generating $18.5 billion in spending and supporting 224,600 jobs statewide. The largest share of domestic visitors comes from Texas, followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, and—perhaps surprisingly—California.

She also highlighted the Louisiana Industry Portal (explorela.com/industry), which offers a comprehensive directory of businesses and resources, including:
• Workforce development and training programs
• Economic incentives and funding opportunities
• Networking events and industry conferences
• Data and analytics on industry trends and workforce needs
• Tools for business planning and market research

The Louisiana Office of Tourism currently operates eight welcome centers and is working to enhance them with new interactive experiences. Alford also noted that the Lieutenant Governor's newest tourism campaign, “Get Ready for Road Trips,” will be launching soon.

Today at the Zachary Rotary Club, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Beth Rauhaus, Professor and Department Head of Po...
04/16/2026

Today at the Zachary Rotary Club, we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Beth Rauhaus, Professor and Department Head of Political Science at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Dr. Rauhaus delivered an insightful presentation on Preventing Stress in the Workplace, highlighting both the causes and consequences many organizations face. She shared that workplace stress often stems from challenges such as poor work-life balance, inadequate compensation or benefits, ineffective communication, weak management, and low job satisfaction.

She also discussed the impact of stress, including decreased productivity and effectiveness, as well as higher turnover and retention challenges.

Most importantly, Dr. Rauhaus offered practical solutions for both employers and employees. These included investing in training, improving communication, offering benefits that support work-life balance, providing professional development opportunities, and exploring flexible work options like hybrid schedules and team-based approaches.

For employees, her advice was just as valuable: understand your professional goals, communicate openly with supervisors, avoid burnout, and take advantage of available resources—especially through HR—to help create a work environment where you can truly thrive.

A big thank you to Dr. Rauhaus for sharing her knowledge and helping us better understand how to build healthier, more productive workplaces!

City of Zachary Recognizes Community Partners for Service and BeautificationThe City of Zachary formally recognized seve...
04/16/2026

City of Zachary Recognizes Community Partners for Service and Beautification

The City of Zachary formally recognized several community organizations and volunteers during the Zachary City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 14th, for their outstanding contributions to community service and city beautification efforts.

Mayor David McDavid and the Zachary City Council honored First Baptist Church and its leadership, including Scott McKenzie and Project Leader Jeff Gould, for organizing a successful Community Service Day held on Saturday, March 21st. More than 100 volunteers participated in the initiative, completing a wide range of projects that significantly enhanced the community.

Volunteers painted the entire fence at the Zachary Public Cemetery, performed landscaping work such as w**d eating and planting 92 daylilies, 48 rose bushes, and 15 Indian hawthorns, and added mulch to city-owned medians. Additional efforts included picking up litter throughout the city, assisting at the Zachary Food Pantry, and constructing a handicap ramp for a resident in need.

“Their willingness to serve and give back reflects the very best of Zachary,” said Mayor McDavid. “These efforts made a meaningful and lasting impact on our community.”

The City also recognized the Zachary Rotary Club, led by President Tamara Dayton, and the Zachary Men’s Club, led by Gaylen Montgomery and his officers, for their contributions to improvements at the Zachary Public Cemetery. The two organizations partnered to fund the sandblasting and repainting of the cemetery’s overhead sign, enhancing the appearance of one of the city’s busiest intersections.

In addition, Carl Snowden was acknowledged during the meeting and shared remarks in appreciation of the volunteers’ efforts at the cemetery.

Special recognition was also given to Sherwin-Williams for providing a generous discount on paint and supplies, helping to support the success of these projects.

The City of Zachary extends its sincere appreciation to all individuals and organizations involved for their dedication, generosity, and commitment to improving the community.

At Thursday’s Zachary Rotary Luncheon, Desiree Harris with Entergy Louisiana shared valuable updates on tree trimming an...
04/13/2026

At Thursday’s Zachary Rotary Luncheon, Desiree Harris with Entergy Louisiana shared valuable updates on tree trimming and ways to lower your electric bill. Desiree serves as a Customer Service Manager in the Baton Rouge area, where she works closely with local communities, businesses, and government leaders to support reliable electric service and infrastructure improvements.

She has been recognized for her outstanding commitment to community engagement, particularly for her leadership and support efforts during storm response and recovery. Her work helps ensure that our region stays connected, informed, and resilient.

One of the number one questions that most people have for Entergy:

🌳 Why Entergy trims trees • Trees and limbs are one of the leading causes of power outages, especially during storms. • Trimming is done to: Prevent outages, Maintain safe electrical clearances, Protect equipment and the public.

🌳 Tree Trimming: Done for safety and reliability, not appearance. Entergy trims around main lines, has legal access within easements, and may remove hazardous trees. Homeowners are responsible for service lines.

Number two Frequently Asked Question:

💡 How to: Save on Your Bill:
• Adjust thermostat (78° summer / 68° winter)
• Change air filters & seal leaks
• Use LED bulbs & unplug unused devices
• Run full loads for laundry/dishwasher
• Use blinds/curtains to block heat
• Explore Entergy programs like Level Billing

☎️ Need assistance or to report an issue? Call 1-800-ENTERGY

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Zachary, LA
70791

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