AUBURN — As a publicity expert, Rachel Morin knows that nothing beats a really good story.

But on Thursday night at Martindale Country Club, Morin WAS the story. She just didn’t know it until the very last minute.

Stepping into the club banquet room just after 6 p.m., Morin seemed at first confused about the size of the crowd that was waiting for her. She blinked a few times at the half-dozen cameras aimed in her direction. She looked to her right and then to her left, perplexed.

“What is all this?” she asked.

Someone leaned in and told Morin that she had been named this year’s Citizen of the Year by the Auburn Business Association.

“No way,” Morin said. “It’s me? I don’t know if I deserve this.”

Fortunately, the decision wasn’t hers to make.

Morin, who writes, acts, takes pictures and volunteers at the Senior College at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College is the newest Citizen of the Year. Hundreds gathered to express why she deserves the recognition.

“Rachel is everywhere and she knows everybody,” said friend Judy Sargent.

“She’s very outgoing and very, very, very involved,” said Janet Gibson, another friend who met Morin while acting at Lewiston-Auburn Community Little Theatre. “She’s very much aware of everything that’s going on around her.”

“So much fun to work with,” said Sharon McGilvery, also of the Senior College. “She’s very thorough, very friendly, always active. Rachel is the kind of person who is never going to just sit at home looking at the four walls.”

That’s putting it mildly. After raising three children and retiring from nursing in 1998, instead of taking it easy, Morin went the other way.

“I made it a point to have a plan,” she told the Auburn Business Association. “I did not want to just sit home.”

She volunteered with the American Red Cross. She trained to be a docent and gave tours at a Portland art museum. She helped found the Auburn Community Band and began to write for the local papers.

Everywhere she went, Morin took on the work of a publicist, taking pictures and searching for angles. The result has been a deft marriage of public relations and community services.

“When it comes to publicity, Rachel really knows her stuff,” said Dan Marois, a writer and communication specialist. “Rachel knows that publicity is a really good story and she tackles it that way. She charts out a plan, and when she takes charge, watch out.

“I’ve seen her pack audiences,” Marois said. “She really knows PR and I’m thrilled that tonight, she’s the story.”

It took a few minutes for Morin to adjust to that fact. She still looked dazed as she was led to her table, flanked by her children and other family members, who had been part of the subterfuge.

“What a peach,” said Mitch Thomas, executive director of The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston. “What a great lady.”

“She’s just always there when you need her,” said Joanne Sabourin, who has worked with Morin at University of Southern Maine Senior College at Lewiston-Auburn College. “She has been such an important part of Senior College.”

In accepting the award, Morin became the 43rd person named Citizen of the Year by the Auburn Business Association.

“The role of citizen comes in many forms,” the group wrote in the event program. “Sometimes it is in the form of a local businessperson who creates jobs and contributes to the economy of a region. Other times, it is a politician, conducting the business of the people through law and governing. Just as often, it is the individual giving back to the community in a myriad of ways without thought of payment. That definition of citizen is embodied by Rachel Morin.”

In giving her toast, Debbie Bolen-Morin spelled it out carefully, just in case Rachel was still dazzled by the shock of the award.

“You are an amazing lady,” she said. “And in case you haven’t noticed, we’re all gushing with pride.”