Club Business
On his last day in office, President Brian Dement opened the meeting and led us in prayer. He said his year as club president was interesting and one he will not forget. He thanked the club for believing in him and the board for helping make his tenure successful. He gave a special shout out to Micah and Carolyn, the latter being designated club MVP, to which everyone agreed. Brian stated that he never realized how much work she does as our secretary. He also showed appreciation to Jim Cartner and Mary Thomas Gilbert, the incoming president and president-elect, respectfully, to whom he pledged his support during the coming year. Brian reminded us that we are a service club that depends on the dedication and contributions of its members. He concluded that he is looking forward to not sitting up front any longer. Well done, Brian!!!
Since no official from the district was present to conduct the transition, Micah Fox stepped forward to administer the pledge to Jim Cartner and his slate of officers. Some concern was voiced as to whether this was legit, but Brian assured us that it was! Otherwise, he faced another year as our fearless leader. We are not sure if it will be challenged. Probably not.
The board, pictured above, from left to right is as follows.
- Brian Dement – Immediate Past President
- Mary Thomas Gilbert – President Elect
- Carolyn Rhode – Secretary
- Katie Dukeshire (Past President) – Rotary Foundation
- Ed Woodall (Past President) – Youth Services
- Susan Watson – Membership
- Kelly Carlisle – Treasurer
- Pete Beck (Past President) – PR
- Dick O’Donnell – Sergeant-at-Arms
We still have two very important committee chairs to fill: projects and fundraising. We hope to see those filled soon.
Meet Our New President: Jim Cartner
Jim took the podium to deliver some brief remarks. He thanked outgoing president, Brian Dement, for his help in transitioning and for propelling the club toward the 100% sustaining level. Jim mentioned that we are a club of past presidents, which is a good thing, but makes it more difficult to find presidential prospects, since all past presidents claim that it is impossible to serve two terms. He succeeded, however, in nabbing Mary Thomas Gilbert to succeed him. Her presidency will coincide with our club’s Randy Perkins‘ term as District Governor.
Jim informed us that Deva Reece and David Moore helped to put together a Valentines fundraising event. (Could there be two more likely candidates to co-chair the fundraising committee?) We plan to have an evening concert with the old Alpaca band, something that might turn into a yearly event.
Here are some highlights from his speech.
Rotary is not a religious organization, but it is filled with people of faith. I have witnessed your living out parts of that willingness to serve others through the sponsoring of Junior Police Academy participants, food pack-a-thons, and sending and receiving exchange students from other countries…With Ed Woodall’s daughter away on a short-term exchange, we are directly responsible for half of our district’s (49 clubs) exchange students! Some of you have gone to other countries and administered polio vaccine to help eradicate that dreaded disease!
Jim also said that, in conjunction with other Area 3 Rotary clubs, we plan to attack the literacy problems facing our community in three different ways. We will be sponsoring an area elementary school to do reading sessions with children. This will be covered by local and district funds. The second and third options will be covered by global grants. It will be helping to provide remedial reading training to single mothers and their children.
By pooling our resources with other clubs, we can begin and continue a multi-year project in these last two areas that will change lives into the generations succeeding us… Are you willing to give the time it takes to play a round of golf once a month or, in some circumstances, once a week for a short period of time, to change the trajectory of a life? I would hope the answer would be a resounding “Yes.”
Happy Dollar Announcements
When Jim concluded, Carolyn distributed new badges to our newest members. A few of us had personal announcements (Happy Dollars).
- David Moore, who last week obliquely mentioned his upcoming wedding anniversary, today paid a dollar to confirm that Kathy did indeed stay with him through their 46th anniversary, which was a very happy one thanks to the presence of a very special grandson.
- Kelly Carlisle gladly announced that she and her husband are closing on their new home in Burlington.
- Pete Beck gave an invitation to the men in the club to join him tonight for a time of food, drink, and conversation just for men at Little Italy Restaurant at 6:48 pm. This group meets every other Tuesday evening.
- Betty Andrews said that Lee Brothers Martial Arts claimed two prizes at a recent event in Toronto.
Conclusion
Pete Beck, who had high expectations of winning it all, somewhat predictably failed to draw the Ace of Hearts; so, the raffle pot continues to grow. To conclude, we all stood to recite Rotary’s four way test before Jim adjourned the meeting. There will be no meeting on July 3, next Tuesday. Enjoy your holiday!