John Nettles “passed the gavel” to Renee Kelley Wilkerson Monday, who thereby became the 98th president of the Rotary Club of Selma.

“I just hope I can do half as good a job as John Nettles did,” Wilkerson said. “Under his leadership, Rotary has held a number of successful fundraisers that have enabled us to carry out the good works both internationally and in the community.”

She noted that Nettles had worked especially hard to encourage donations to Rotary International’s crusade to end polio.

Wilkerson presented Nettles with a plaque honoring his leadership during the 2011-12 year, along with a jeweled pin identifying him as a former club president.

“Renee will do a great job,” said Nettles. “After all, she was practically raised on our ‘Service Above Self’ motto.

Wilkerson’s father, Bob, was named Alabama Rotarian of the Year back in 2000, and served as district governor for all of District 6880, which covers all of Southern Alabama.”

Wilkerson, who attended the University of Alabama and Wallace Community College-Selma, works as general manager at Selma’s historic Tally Ho Restaurant.

Wilkerson joined Rotary in 2007 and has previously served as vice president and president elect.

Five past presidents were on hand to take part in the “passing of the gavel” ceremony,

They included Ramsey Knight, Allen Reeves, Bob Kelley, James (“Bo”) Boyd and John Nettles.

The Rotary Club is Selma’s oldest civic club, having been founded in 1916.

It is 46 members strong and meets for lunch every Monday at the St. James Hotel.