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50 weeks ago, I shared with
the Club what my thoughts
and goals were moving into
my year as President of this
terrific club.
First,
my goal was to project a
positive image of Rotary
through community leadership
& visibility as I believe
that we as Rotarians need to
project a positive image
about the importance of
community and the role that
Rotary plays in it.
Back in
July, I stated that the
impact of the international
connectivity of Rotary and
the power it can amass is
startling. To imagine that
all the Rotary clubs around
the world are linked
together by a basic premise
of goodwill & a mutually
implied trust – service
before self – and through
this we are able to tackle
the eradication of polio and
now take on the charge to
lessen the suffrage of
children round the world.
These are noble &
commendable goals that are
shared by thousands of
Rotarians worldwide.
This is
truly honorable:
- To
reduce infant mortality
& morbidity by providing
access to clean water
- To
making a commitment to
securing and improving
literacy as the global
economy intensifies
- To
provide some measure of
salvation to those less
fortunate than ourselves
who are confined to an
oppressive environment,
or simply lack the
resources to better
themselves
- To
promote world peace,
tolerance and
understanding
Somehow
Rotary permeates all
religious and geographic
boundaries & reached out to
those who are in need. These
are truly honorable
pursuits. This is the
international community of
Rotary and by your presence
today, you are part of it.
Special
mention should go to those
in the Club who have
participated in the
dispensing of the polio
vaccine to children in
India, who have assisted in
the limb camps, provided
tricycles to those who can’t
walk, and who have provided
systems to ensure clean
water to the disadvantage.
Look
around – they’re in your
Club – Steve, Audrey, Linda,
Kim, Ruth – we thank you. Of
special note, Doctor
Kathleen Kevany, from our
Club has applied to become a
world peace scholar.
In some
respect we have had a very
tough year. With the passing
of Max Howell and the sudden
passing of John Chevalier,
we suffered a tragic loss to
our Rotary family, and to
Heather Bondy who also lost
her husband this year. It is
important that we
demonstrate solidarity
during these times.
One
year ago, I asked all of you
to consider what it means to
you to be a member of this
Club. I shared that for me
it was a chance to make a
difference in the community
where I choose to live,
conduct my business, and
raise my family. There were
no hidden agendas – just the
desire to make a difference.
No regrets. I cherish the
friendships I’ve made and
feel honored to have met
some very intriguing
people.
I do
know that Rotary is
different – it is selfless –
everyone respects Rotary &
what it represents.
We had
taken on the Visioning
exercise to collate our
thoughts as to where & what
we wanted to be as a Club in
5 years. And determine what
was important to us as a
Rotary Club & a service club
in Chatham. Here’s a recap
of what we wanted as a
group, as a team, as a club.
Cleary
the 3 pillars of the club
were the commitment to
health, literacy, and the
environment. In addition, we
wanted to promote and make a
difference in our community
so our young people would
see it as a place to work
and live. Obviously this
transcends through the 3
pillars.
We
wanted to see our club grow
to a 50-55 member club of
active Rotarians.
We
perceived ourselves to be
social, active people who
enjoy being hands on
participants in the
fundraising and stewardship
activities. Our goal is to
develop strong active
leadership and make a
difference in our community
through the service work we
do.
We felt
it was important to develop
a distinct identity as the
Chatham Sunrise Rotary Club
and to be recognized as such
in the community.
To that
end we wanted to take on a
signature fundraising event
and maintain our identity in
how we put money back in the
community.
We
wanted to be a catalyst to
build a Community and Health
& Wellness centre that would
also support youth.
We
wanted to maintain our
ongoing commitment to the
Rotary Trail that will
eventually link our
community, promote healthier
lifestyles and protect the
environment.
Not a
bad challenge to enter in
your year as President.
Clearly
none of these goals are
possible without competent,
like-minded individuals
agreeing to share in the
challenges to make it
happen.
How do
we carve out that identity?
How
will we keep people
enthused?
How
will we find people who want
to share our goals?
How can
we continue to make a
positive contribution?
How do
we challenge individuals so
that we can collectively
make a difference?
Let’s
see how we’re doing.
Today
we are within budget and
have maintained all of our
project commitments.
We
receive the Presidential
Citation so the Boss likes
us.
We are
starting to be noticed
around the league as a team
to watch – I like this.
What
have we done in regards to
literacy? We provided
computers to outreach
settlements in Central
America. We continue our
pledge to see that every
baby born in Chatham Kent
gets a book to reinforce the
power of literacy. I know
babies can’t read – that’s
not the point. It gets
Sunrise Rotary out to every
family and connects them to
literacy programs in the
community. We can not
understate the importance of
literacy as it relates to
education, health & the
environment.
Have we
maintained our current
fundraising programs to
secure our current
obligations moving forward?
Yes.
Congratulations to Terra &
Sheila for making the Roses
for Rotary campaign the most
successful it has ever been.
Bingos
are worth a lot of makeup.
See Jackie.
The
Mardi gras party was
terrific this year and for
those that couldn’t partake
– put it on your list for
next year – Thanks to Doug
and his steering committee
for an excellent, fun
event.
The
gardens are looking great
here along Grand Ave & the
vision is expanding
regarding the Rotary Trail.
Thanks, Paul
We
rode around the river for
Polio.
I took
on the challenge to recruit
10 new embers and we did it!
And, oh
yeah, we took on a signature
fundraiser and we’ve
committed proceeds of the
event to the new YMCA
complex as a naming sponsor
in the aquatic facility.
I like
this group.
I like
its energy.
I like
its enthusiasm.
Did I
tell you that enthusiasm is
contagious?
Let’s
keep building.
Let’s
keep having fun.
JRN,
June 23, 2009.
How
can we edit a word that he
said? Well-done, President
Jim. It’s been terrific!
CHANGING OF THE GUARD:
 
Incoming President Blake
pinned Jim & offered our
gratitude for his Year as
President, Rotary Club of
Chatham Sunrise.
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