LAURINBURG — With the installation of a new board and three new members, the women of the Scottish Pilot Club are ready for a new year.
The club held a banquet this week to wrap up its year and start a new one.
In her final update, outgoing President Dorothy Tyson told the members assembled that they were all champions.
“Championship is possible because of team members with drive, determination, vision, focus, attitude, dedication, talent, sacrifice, self-awareness and putting the right players in the positions,” Tyson said. “We, the members of the Scottish Pilot Club of Laurinburg, are champions, and we are on a championship team.”
Tyson told the group that they were the embodiment of the club’s motto: Do more; care more; be more.
The club hosted several successful fund raisers throughout the year including its annual golf tournament in the fall and the spring fashion show and bridge party.
The Scottish Pilots not only presented monetary donations to the groups it supports, the women also donated their time, according to Tyson.
The club presents the Brain Minders puppet show to all kindergartners in the county. They also donated their labor to help Scots for Youth host a party for caregivers and family members of residents at Prestwick Village. Scottish Pilots helped finance and pack snack bags for hungry children at Project Inasmuch. The ladies also worked at St. Andrews University’s Ride Like a Knight program which provides equine therapy to differently abled children.
The group also chartered the first middle school Anchor Club in North Carolina, and the second one in Scotland County with 25 members.
Tyson told the women that they had “outdone themselves” with the awards they had won from Pilot International and in their efforts to support local charities.
The club had one more check to present before the evening was over. Anchor Club member, Anna Ferguson is a Senior at Scotland High and will graduate on Saturday. She plans to attend UNC Chapel Hill and received a $1,000 scholarship from Scottish Pilot Club toward the cost of tuition.
“It’s really helpful because it’s going to help me advance to the next phase of my life, to go to college,” Ferguson said.
She plans to major in biology with a view to becoming a Physician’s Assistant.
Anchor Club is supported by the Scottish Pilots who instill the values they stand by into the younger version of the Pilots. There are 38 students in the Anchor Club at the high school. Ferguson has been in the club since tenth grade.
“I think the Anchor club really helped me become a better person. We just volunteer everywhere. We do the charity golf tournament. We do the Brain Minders,” Ferguson said. “It was having fun, but it was also knowing that what you’re doing was going to a good cause.”
Ferguson’s father, Craig, is proud of his daughter’s efforts and pleased that she won the scholarship.
“She has worked hard during her education thus far, and this gift from the Pilot Club will help her continue to the next level, and it’s very appreciated,” Craig Ferguson said.
Member Terry Gallman, inducted two new members, Shirley Jones and Elizabeth Newbold, presenting them with yellow roses and Scottish Pilot Club pins with plaid tabs.
Gallman told the women that they were becoming part of an organization of volunteers and friends.
“We are a service organization, but we work in friendship as well as give service worldwide,” Gallman said.
The club currently has 29 members.
Tyson was presented with the Pilot of the Year award and a scrapbook commemorating her year as president.
Nine officers were sworn in including: President, Debbie Quick; President Elect, Barbara Mack; Vice President, Shelia Swift; and Treasurer, Carolyn Pitt.
New president, Debbie Quick closed the evening by thanking the new officers and division chairs.
“I know some of you wanted to take a break from this tremendous responsibility, but you stepped up and agreed to help lead this club. For this we are truly grateful; you’re all a blessing,” Quick said. “This past year has been a great year in Pilot. I’m looking forward to working all of you in the year to come.”
The Scottish Pilot Club was formed in 1991 when the Pilot Club’s membership grew too numerous. The mission of Pilot Clubs is to “to influence positive change in communities throughout the world.” They do that through service and fundraising.
