Our June 27^th, meeting was our Rotary Year Changeover Meeting. We are indeed fortunate to have Mark Reed as our new president. I think that Mark is particularly qualified to energize our club, and keep us focused on important new initiatives which he is going to pursue. I’m excited, and I hope that you will give him your full support.

 

This is my last newsletter as president, and I want to take this opportunity to thank each of you for your friendship and support during my year as your president. When you see our club from this vantage point, it is inspiring to see all of the dedication, and hard work that all of you do each and every day to create a better world.

 

During the past year, we completed 10 of our “legacy projects”, like the Dictionary Project and Operation Warmth, which we are committed to continue. In addition, we have some new initiatives, Rotary Action Group Against Slavery, for example. Human Trafficking is a great moral issue of our time, and Rotary is leading the way to search for a solution. This year we also had the opportunity to participate in the selection of a Rotary Peace Scholar. What we do today will affect our community and our society for generations.

 

One last observation I would like to share with all of you is that we must begin to think of ourselves as Rotarians, but also, as Fiduciaries. We must make sure that we bring in new members who will carry on our traditions of service 10, 20, and 30 years from now. In our new world, which produces isolation, we can help create socialization, friendships, and progress. It is more important than ever that we do that. This year, I sensed that we have gained an understanding of how to approach these membership issues. I am confident that we will grow our membership, and that, in spite of the sometimes bitter winds of change, there will always beat- the steadfast heart of Rotary.

 

Thanks again for the opportunity to serve.