ARLINGTON — Linda M. Byrnes assumed the duties of president of the Rotary Club of Arlington for the 2012-13 club year on July 1.

“Rotary is dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors, in our community and around the world,” Byrnes said upon taking office. “It is an honor to be part of this powerful global network that has pledged to the children of the world to end polio now, so that no child will ever again be crippled or killed by this preventable disease.”

Also installed in leadership positions were Bucky Tart as president-elect, Cindy Huleatt as vice president, Pamela Beaton as treasurer, Brad Giles as secretary and John Peeters as past president, as well as committee chairs Jody Nelson in administration, Kathy McCone in the foundation, Duane Rhodes in membership, A.J. Chase in public relations and Bruce Stedman in service.

The Rotary Club of Arlington supports an array of local causes with funds raised through the Great Stilly Duck Dash on the Fourth of July. Some of these programs include the Arlington Community Food Bank, the Stillaguamish Senior Center, Kids’ Kloset, Cocoon House, Boy Scouts of America Troop 29 and Housing Hope. The club also provides scholarships of $2,500 each year to selected graduates of the Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington high schools.

Internationally, the Rotary Club of Arlington supports a global effort to eradicate polio, provides water systems to rural Panama and donates to relief efforts following natural disasters, such as the 2011 earthquake in Japan.

The Rotary Club of Arlington is a group of local business owners, professionals and community leaders who aim to make the world and their community stronger. Rotarians pledge themselves to the ideal of “Service Above Self.” The Rotary Club of Arlington belongs to Rotary International, and is one of the 34,000 Rotary Clubs in more than 200 countries, with more than 1.2 million members worldwide. For more information, please visit www.rotaryclubofarlington.com.