The Rotary Club of Chattanooga, the nation's 19th largest club, will be installing Dr. Elaine Swafford as the 2020-2021 club president on Thursday at noon. Dr. Swafford is the CEO of the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy/Montessori Elementary at Highland Park and has been a member of the club since 2016.
Officials said, "Dr. Swafford has nearly four decades of experience in education and is an active community leader in Chattanooga. She was a member of Class V Leadership Tennessee and has experience in building and implementing pioneering educational programs.
With a commitment to promoting academic success for at-risk students and those who can achieve but are often underserved, Dr. Swafford has created numerous programs. Those efforts include: Project AHEAD, Diploma Completion Program, the Middle College Collegiate High School and the Building of Outstanding Service Scholars (BOSS), while serving as vice president of Economic and Community Development and vice president of Student Affairs at Chattanooga State. In her professional life, she uses her experience, leadership and energy to inspire, motivate and assure the voices of young people are valued and heard. She will be using these same tools as she leads the Chattanooga Rotary Club."
Dr. Swafford said, “This is an exciting time for the Chattanooga Rotary Club. The past few months have made us nimble in our programming and effective in supporting the important work happening throughout our community. At this time in our nation, Rotary’s ‘Four Way Test’, which commits us to truth, fairness to all concerned, building good will and better friendships along with actions that will be beneficial to all concern, is of utmost importance, as we continue to stand with our community.
‘Service above Self’ has never been more apparent to the Rotary Club than it is in these times and I’m honored to lead the Club in the coming year.”