- June 15, 2026
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On Longboat Key, it's not uncommon for local leaders to wear many hats. Terri Driver certainly did while serving her first term as Rotary Club of Longboat Key president, during which she managed the club's communications, organized events, and even donned the costume of Josh the Otter to teach students at Tuttle Elementary School about water safety.
Rotarians recognized her commitment to bettering Longboat Key on June 11 at Hugo II. They applauded her figurative hats, but also clapped and laughed as fellow Rotarian Carol Erker gave Driver not one, not two, but a tower of three hats to wear.
Driver made history with the local chapter as she passed the presidential gavel to... herself. Since Sydelle Pittas and fellow members formed the chapter in 2014, a president has never served two consecutive terms.
"One of the most important things I want to say is that in the past year of being president, I learned so much," she said.
She said she appreciated members' support as they tested out new initiatives and projects, and the collaborative spirit of neighboring Rotary clubs on Anna Maria Island and in Bradenton. She found packing grab-and-go meals for students particularly rewarding and said that is one cross-club project she would like to see continue.
Fortuitously, that interest in "switching things up" matched district-level encouragement later that year to experiment with new ideas.
Driver was proud to report that the club completed 17 community improvement projects, hosted three main social events and welcomed guest speakers from many backgrounds.
Attendees raised their glasses in salute of the new (and past) president after District 6960 Governor Nominee Designate Sue McConnell installed Driver and her fellow officers, who included Jeffrey Driver, Erker, Ellen Greenberger, Brad Marner, Alzira Meierling, Janet Shapiro and Jan Wallace.
Driver also recapped the club's activities this year and presented Presidential Award Certificates to members who displayed exemplary service.
Members including Wallace said they were proud to keep the momentum going for the club's reading days at the elementary school. At each place setting that evening, Rotarians had a handmade card from students thanking them for their time in the classroom.
Closing out her first term, Driver told members, "I got to know a lot of you over the past year and learned what your passions and interests were. I learned more in this past year than in the previous four and a half years that I have been part of this club."
She presented awards to Marner, Susan McGuire, Shapiro, Erker, Wallace, Eugene Luca and James Chirgwin for all going above and beyond this year. Driver commended them for their work supporting local veterans, the youth and other neighbors.
The club's next major event will be organizing the "Hot Diggity Dog!" pet parade at Freedom Fest this Fourth of July. Visit LongboatKeyRotary.org for details.
