The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South presented its prestigious 4-Way Test Award to Arlene Goldberg and Vocational Service Leadership Award to Diana Willis at its June 26 luncheon.
Rotary’s 4-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test acknowledges truth, fairness, goodwill and benefit for all concerned. It is the standard by which a Rotarian’s highest level of conduct is measured, and the criteria Rotary Club of Fort Myers South uses to award a community member every year.
Along with many other community service activities, Arlene Goldberg is co-founder of both the Southwest Florida Harmony Chamber of Commerce and Visuality. The Harmony Chamber provides networking and business outreach opportunities for LGBTQ business owners, potential customers and straight allies. Visuality is a non-profit organization aimed at ending violence, harassment and discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. It provides support groups, educational panels, workshops and youth socials to reduce violence and isolation.
Goldberg successfully fought for her and her late wife, Carol, to become the first legally married same-sex marriage in the state of Florida. In making sure that the privileges most of us take for granted are beneficial and fair to all in our community, she lives by the spirit of the 4-Way Test.
The Vocational Service Leadership Award recognizes individuals who exemplify integrity and high ethical standards in their vocation and use their vocational talents to serve the community. As vice president, chief motivational officer and co-owner of Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida, Willis operates six locations from Sarasota to Naples, employing more than 300 people.
Over the past 16 years, Willis has assisted many nonprofits in the five counties her business serves, and is current board chair for PACE Center for Girls, Lee County. She is also the advisory board past chair for Florida Gulf Coast University’s School of Resort and Hospitality Management and serves on the Dean’s Council for the Lutgert College of Business. Willis and her team at Jason’s Deli donate thousands of dollars worth of food and beverage to numerous nonprofit organizations and the community in need every year. Her admirable vocational leadership service in the community sets the example for others and makes her the ideal recipient for this prestigious award.
Rotary Club of Fort Myers South has 125 members who are among the 1.3 million Rotarians worldwide. Service Above Self is the motto of Rotary International, which has contributed more than $1.2 billion and tens of thousands of volunteer hours toward polio eradication in addition to projects such as water quality, world peace and literacy. Meetings are held each Monday at noon at the Crowne Plaza, 13051 Bell Tower Drive. For more information, visit www.rotarysouth.org.
