VIA reflects on departing president’s leadership accomplishments

As Kate McKenzie completes her two-year tenure as Village Improvement Association president, the club has accomplished all of the goals she set and then some.

Presiding over a club coming out of COVID restrictions, McKenzie realized the value of continuing to use meeting technology to keep members engaged. Using Zoom and recording the sessions, she supported a wider reach to the membership that succeeded in maintaining strong connections.

Marking the club’s 115th anniversary, McKenzie set a community improvement project goal of undertaking 115 service projects. The theme, 115 for 115, was the club’s rallying cry.

Exceeding its goal, the club logged 132 projects. Activities included making lunches for the Rehoboth Beach Patrol, cleaning up local highways, training in CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, supporting youth-oriented organizations, providing food and support for the homeless, sponsoring an electric vehicle event and making more than $79,000 in contributions to local charities.

McKenzie said, “It has been my sincere honor to represent and work with each of the dedicated members of the VIA. Because of their team spirit and belief in our historical mission of helping the Rehoboth Beach community, we have had a remarkable two years. “

Incoming VIA President Marti Badila now takes the reins.

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach is a women’s civic and charitable organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. For more information, go to rehobothbeachvia.org.