Rotary International District 6910 Gov. Margie Eddy-Forbes paid a visit to the Rotary Club of Dawson County on Sept. 6 to talk about plans, goals and initiatives for the year ahead.

As in years past, the worldwide eradication of polio remains Rotary's top philanthropic goal.

Since 1985, Rotarians across the globe have contributed more than $800 million and countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries, resulting in reducing polio cases by 99 percent worldwide.

"We're a lot closer than we've ever been before. We still have polio in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria and those are the only places that have it. I think we're really close to closing the door on it," she said.

On the local level, Eddy-Forbes spoke of the importance of recruiting quality new members and praised the club for its continuous growth in membership, which has spiked in recent weeks since Pepper Pettit signed on to chair that committee.

"Membership is the lifeblood of our club and it looks to me like you people have gotten some new blood in the club and that you are working very, very hard to get new members and that Pepper is working extremely hard," she said.

Eddy-Forbes also shined a spotlight on member and longtime Rotarian Gaye Cantrell, who recently transferred her membership from the Pickens County club to the local club.

"How lucky you are to have her in your club. She's a delightful person, and she knows so much about Rotary," she said.

The Rotary Club of Dawson County is a group of nearly 60 local professionals and business leaders who share a desire to encourage and foster the ideal of service above self, the Rotary creed.

Through annual fundraising efforts, the club provides assistance to various local organizations such as the senior center, arts council, United Way of Dawson County and KARE for Kids, among others.

Additionally, the club awards scholarships to two Dawson County High School seniors and sponsors the Laws of Life essay program at the high school.