MANSFIELD — Andy Chalk humbly told fellow members of the Rotary Club of Mansfield on Tuesday that he doesn’t do a lot by himself.
The local organizations and people he has served for more than two decades — and Rotary International, itself — clearly disagree.
The 70-year-old Chalk was presented with the club’s global “Service Above Self” award on Tuesday during a surprise ceremony at Kingwood Center Gardens that included state Sen. Mark Romanchuk, state Rep. Marilyn John and Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry.
Just 150 Rotarians around the world receive the prestigious award each year, presented on Tuesday by local club President Melanie Riggleman.
“Service Above Self” is the primary motto of Rotary, which has 1.2 million members worldwide.
“The ‘Service Above Self’ award has long been a hallmark of Rotarians and Rotary members who devote their time and energy to helping their neighbors near and far in significant ways,” Riggleman said.
“While many Rotary members distinguish themselves through service, we want to especially recognize those who make it a way of life,” she said, before listing the many ways Chalk has supported the area since joining Rotary in 2001.
“His hands-on leadership during United Way’s Day of Caring; coordination of planting 75 trees for the Alta Greenhouse centennial to promote environmental sustainability; and
dedicated efforts at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary, the Rehab Center Playground, and the
Domestic Violence Center highlight the breadth and depth of his impact,” Riggleman said.
“Andy consistently takes on challenging projects, creating safe and welcoming spaces for children and families in need. His compassion, perseverance, and belief that everyone
deserves support and opportunity shine through in all he does.”
Among other things, Chalk chaired committees to build a walkway at the Ohio Bird Sanctuary and for two outbound foreign youth exchange students. He brought the annual Poinsettia Project from the Ontario Club and has chaired and been the top seller — and deliverer — annually.
He assisted in the installation of Mansfield Rotary’s 100th Centennial Clock at Richland Carrousel Park and does annual maintenance on it. He was also instrumental in starting the STRIVE program at Ontario High School and has headed it since 2005.
The STRIVE program (Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) at the Rotary Club of Mansfield is a mentoring and scholarship program designed to motivate high school seniors to improve their academic performance, attendance, and attitude during their final year of school.
(Below is a PDF with a list of community involvement and Rotary Club service activities in which Andy Chalk has participated over his career.)
Chalk, a former Ontario school board member, was genuinely surprised to get the award. It was presented during an otherwise normal club weekly meeting. His wife, Twyla, was a surprise visitor during the luncheon.
“This is quite an honor,” said Chalk, who retired after 40 years as an engineer with phone and communication companies in Indiana and Ohio. “I guess I kind of forgot most of those things that I did, but I really enjoy Rotary.”
He said he wasn’t initially sure he made the right choice in joining Rotary, first in Ontario and then moving into the Mansfield club in 2010 when his initial disbanded.
“But after a year or two, I realized that it’s the people in the club … I just treasure each and every one of you as a friend and as a mentor,” said Chalk, who came to Mansfield during a phone company merger in 1990.
“The bottom line is all of the projects that we’ve done in Rotary, it’s not just one person. It’s each and every one of you in here that help out on all of the different projects we do,” he said.
(Below are proclamations presented to Andy Chalk of the Rotary Club of Mansfield on Tuesday from state Sen. Mark Romanchuk, state Rep. Marilyn John and Mansfield Mayor Jodie Perry.)
Romanchuk, John and Perry lauded his volunteer efforts.
“If you look at the list of (Chalk’s) involvements over the years, I couldn’t believe it. I mean, it just went on and on and on and on,” the senator said. “It was an easy (state senate resolution) to submit and be approved for.”
“I’ll just simply say on behalf of the Ohio Senate, congratulations, and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate your service,” Romanchuk said.
John said, “It really speaks volumes of a leader who gives out credit rather than take credit. You talked about all of the help that everybody else in this room has given to you and you shining a light on them really shows, your true character.
“Congratulations again on behalf of the Ohio House.”
Perry joined the local Rotary Club in 2014 when she was president and CEO of the Mansfield Area Chamber & Economic Development.
“I think your name is just as synonymous with Rotary as many others with all the work you do behind the scenes,” the mayor said. “You are right. It is a team effort, but every team needs a coach, every team needs managers and and folks to kind of point the direction.
“I think you have done a really great job with that and truly from a ‘service above self,’ you are very, very deserving.”
After the meeting, Chalk said he just wants to help people.
“There are any number of things Rotary Club members can get involved with,” he said.
(Below are photos from the Rotary Club of Mansfield meeting on Tuesday as member Andy Chalk was presented with the “Service Above Self” award.)
