On
the personal level, Marlene B. Brown was born in the family
homestead in Clinton NY. Her ancestor, Robert Burrows, emigrated
from England to CT in the 1640's. In 1790, they traveled to Oneida
County and built a log cabin - renovated and enlarged in 1794
to become the family homestead - which has been occupied continuously
by descendants. Her mother and father, Bob & Betty Burrows,
were active in Rotary with the Oriskany-Whitestown Club. Marlene
is the proud mother of 5 (Bradley, Vanessa, Christina, Melanie,
and Stacy) and grandmother of 5 (Jeremiah, Josha, Rachel, Trevor,
Samuel).
On
the professional level, Marlene
is a former Senior English & Psychology teacher, and Syracuse
University Management instructor. Founder/owner of two small companies,
author
of numerous books, articles and leadership programs, she has traveled
extensively as an internationally recognized speaker and consultant.
Marlene
is 1 of 15 in the world to earn the combined degrees of Certified
Professional Speaker & Certified Management Consultant. In
2001 Marlene was 1 of 20 recipients awarded the 1st Central NY
Outstanding Women in Business Awards. In 2005, Marlene was one
of 20 recipients awarded the 1st Mohawk Valley Outstanding Women
in Business Awards. She is currently Executive Director of the
Children's Museum of History, Natural History, Science and Technology
in Utica, NY.
A
Rotarian since 1995, Marlene was sponsored into Utica Rotary
Club where she served on several committees and for 3 years Chaired
the Program Committee. In 1999, Marlene was presented by then
District Governor Ed Paparella with the Utica Rotary Club's Paul
Harris Fellow for outstanding work in the Club and the District
and was nominated to the Utica Rotary Club Board of Directors.
When business reasons made Friday meetings difficult, she switched
to the New Hartford Rotary Club.
In
the New Hartford Club, Marlene was 2000-2001 Club Secretary,
then 2001-2002 Club President. The New Hartford Rotary Club Board
of Directors awarded her their Jim Hickey Award for outstanding
Club Rotarian of the year. Some projects the Club undertook were:
Make A Difference Day; Rotary Readers Program; a sponsor of the
District's 1st Gift of Sight program; and sponsored students to
the District's 1st RYLA program.
On
the District Rotary level, in 1999, DG Ed Paparella asked
Marlene to design and maintain our District & Youth Exchange
websites, both of which have won 1st & 2nd places in Best
of Rotary Web. DG Ward Vuillemot appointed Marlene to the newly
created role of Internet Communications Officer. In 2001-2005,
Marlene was presented with D7150's Governor's award for her services
with the District Website and Internet Communications. DG Don
Reese appointed Marlene Chair of the Rotary Centennial Celebration.
In addition to being a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow and Benefactor,
she has presented at PETS, District Assemblies and Conferences;
is a Rotary Leadership Institute faculty member; and Charter President
of Rotary e-ClubNY1 of D-7150.
On
the Rotary International level, Marlene is webmaster for
Rotary Leadership Institute and Rotary RYLA websites; Member of
Rotarians on the Internet & International Computer Users Fellowship.
At R. I.'s TX Convention, Marlene was presented awards for Zone
31's Best District Website & Internet Communications Officer.
In 2001, Marlene was asked by the Intl RYLA Chair to serve on
the committee. In 2002, Marlene was invited to facilitate a session
at R.I.’s Spain Convention. She and Rotarian husband Earl
Lewis designed 1 of 15 Rotary e-Clubs authorized by R.I. In 2005,
Marlene and Earl attended Rotary’s Centennial Convention.
Marlene
states her number one priority in life is her family, along with
her God, followed closely by her profession and her involvement
with Rotary. In her spare time,
she loves to read, research online, play the piano, update websites,
and - most of all - spend time with her children and grandchildren.
