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Dr. Elizabeth Taraski was inducted last month as president of the Suffolk Rotary Club by District Gov. Kenny Janes.

Rotary’s mission is to “provide service to others, promote integrity and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through our fellowship of business, professional and community leaders.”

“Imagine Rotary” is Rotary International’s theme for this year.

Taraski serves as president and CEO of the Nansemond River Preservation Alliance; commissioner for the Hampton Roads Sanitation District; chair of the Community Restoration Advisory Board; and former Nansemond Ordnance Depot and Suffolk Business Women’s Club member. Previously, she served as president of the Suffolk American Association of University Women.

“During the next year the Suffolk Rotary Club will engage in projects that help to educate and encourage citizens to know that they can make a difference,” Taraski said. “Collaborating with businesses, nonprofit and civic organizations, schools and government agencies will be the underlying framework.”

During the 2022-23 term, the Suffolk Rotary Club and North Suffolk Rotary Club are working closely with the Suffolk Public Schools administration in launching the nationally acclaimed All Suffolk Reads program in the city’s 11 public elementary schools. Over 6,000 students and their families will participate in the literacy program.

Annually, the Suffolk Rotary Club provides scholarships to two seniors from Suffolk’s five high schools and grant support to 20 nonprofit organizations.

The club meets weekly on Thursdays for lunch and presentations from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on Constance Road.