Congratulations to President Gail Evans, as she was duly installed as our leader for the 2016-2017 Rotary year. Rotarians welcomed President Gail warmly and offered her full support as she begins her duties to move the Club forward in the next year. She will be joined by President Elect Gerry Foran, Vice President Mark Reed, Secretary Tracy Bozik and Treasurer Hal Funt. This is truly an impressive leadership team. We wish them all the best in their work on behalf of the Club and the community.
In addition to the officers new Directors were "sworn in" as well for a two year term. These included Sylvia Doyle, Bill Fitzpatrick, Buck Jones, George Kurtz and Bob Smith. Bill was unfortunately and inadvertently not called forward to be installed during the meeting. Please congratulate him and thank all our new directors for their willingness to serve.
We also thanked and recognized outgoing officers and Board members Ron Bauer, Deb Geiger, Dennis Morton, Sandra O'Neill and Stacey Scholl. Together, our outgoing and present Board members led the way in many outstanding achievements this year. They deserve our thanks, and we look forward to their continuing active service to Rotary and the community.
We also recognized several Rotarians for "over and above" meritorious service this past year. They included PP Diane Donaher, for chairing the committee that staged a spectacular Centennial Gala and Dinner; Thea Phalon, for chairing the 2015 Tastes and Tunes Committee that raised an all-time high of nearly $73,000 for the Boys and Girls Club; Paul Ricciardi, for his masterful production and direction of our centennial video; Roger Whiteley, for his thoroughly researched and richly detailed "History of the First 100 Years of the Bethlehem Rotary Club;" and Don Hunter, our dedicated, loyal and true Sergeant-at-Arms, who works tirelessly (and without fanfare) in making our weekly meetings come off without a hitch.
In other news, District Governor Doug Cook presented a citation to our Club (signed by RI President Ravi Ravindran) recognizing our 100 years of service at the District Changeover Dinner on Monday night at the Hotel Bethlehem. Several Bethlehem Rotarians were on hand to receive this special accolade.
Seated L to R: Diane Donaher, Susan Somers, Deb Geiger, Gail Evans
Standing L to R: Gerry Long, Gordon Somers, Jill Long, Ham Malek, Mike McGovern, Sharon Clennon
In looking back over the past year, we collectively remembered all the ways in which The Bethlehem Rotary Club made a difference in 2015-2016: in service projects, community activities, foundation (Bethlehem and RI) support; community grants, and even through fun and fellowship. As your outgoing President, I was honored to be a witness to all you do. Thanks to you all for the gifts of time, talent, treasure and selfless spirit that are the hallmarks of the Bethlehem Rotary Club. As we close out this very meaningful year, let me say one more time, that you all are truly a gift to the community.
