Reflections on Rotary Year 2010 -2011
Posted by Steven Walden
It is hard for me to believe that my year as president will end in one week. On Friday, I will strike the gavel against the bell one last time and ceremoniously hand it over to Dave Hall. This year I can honestly say that I had fun and will look back on what we did together and be proud.
As a club, we supported local organizations and relief efforts, hosted a Group Study Exchange, generously supported The Rotary Foundation, inducted new members for a net gain, executed a successful fundraiser, built a playscape at a local playground, supported a hearing aid relief effort in Mexico, celebrated 25 years of club history, and much much more!!
There are so many people that made 2010-2011 fun and successful. The officers and board of directors that served this year went far beyond the call of duty to sacrifice their time and energy in the name of Rotary. Because each of our officers and directors are unpaid, and because each has a family, a career, and other obligations, I feel very blessed to have been able to work with each of them this year. You already know that our club is rich in leadership talent. This is evident in our board.
In addition to our board members, many of you led various events and projects through the year. Many of you worked "behind the scenes" to perform tasks that we may not have seen, but were vital to the success of our club. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to each of you for giving of yourselves, your time, and your finances to make this last year a great one for the programs, projects, and organizations we support. Thank You!
When I joined Rotary five years ago, I was told by a past president that I could be a member of the Rotary Club, or I could be a Rotarian the choice was up to me. I did not know what he meant, I just nodded my head and just focused on getting my coveted "blue badge." Five years later, I now know what he meant by "being a Rotarian." I have changed in the sense that I read my Rotarian magazine from cover to cover, as soon as I get it in the mail; I log onto our club website so frequently that I have it as my home screen; I read the District 5870 newsletter as well as newsletters from other local clubs; I seek out Rotarians when I travel to engage in conversations and learn about new places; I arrive at meetings 30 minutes ahead of time, just for the fellowship; I have Rotary clothing - and I wear it!; and I am seriously considering a Rotary license plate. These are just outward manifestations of my "Rotarianism", but Rotary has become a part of my identity as much as my Faith, family, citizenship, and political affiliation. What I have found is that the more I put into Rotary, the more fun and reward I get back in return.
I want to leave my year as your club president with this final thought. This next year, consider your role in Rotary and what talents you can offer to the club and to the international organization. You do not have to be an officer, a director, or a committee chair. Just serve! This next year, I want you to be able to say when you are asked, "I am a Rotarian!"
Thank you for a great and memorable year.
Yours in Rotary,
Steve Walden
There are so many people that made 2010-2011 fun and successful. The officers and board of directors that served this year went far beyond the call of duty to sacrifice their time and energy in the name of Rotary. Because each of our officers and directors are unpaid, and because each has a family, a career, and other obligations, I feel very blessed to have been able to work with each of them this year. You already know that our club is rich in leadership talent. This is evident in our board.
In addition to our board members, many of you led various events and projects through the year. Many of you worked "behind the scenes" to perform tasks that we may not have seen, but were vital to the success of our club. I cannot begin to express my gratitude to each of you for giving of yourselves, your time, and your finances to make this last year a great one for the programs, projects, and organizations we support. Thank You!
When I joined Rotary five years ago, I was told by a past president that I could be a member of the Rotary Club, or I could be a Rotarian the choice was up to me. I did not know what he meant, I just nodded my head and just focused on getting my coveted "blue badge." Five years later, I now know what he meant by "being a Rotarian." I have changed in the sense that I read my Rotarian magazine from cover to cover, as soon as I get it in the mail; I log onto our club website so frequently that I have it as my home screen; I read the District 5870 newsletter as well as newsletters from other local clubs; I seek out Rotarians when I travel to engage in conversations and learn about new places; I arrive at meetings 30 minutes ahead of time, just for the fellowship; I have Rotary clothing - and I wear it!; and I am seriously considering a Rotary license plate. These are just outward manifestations of my "Rotarianism", but Rotary has become a part of my identity as much as my Faith, family, citizenship, and political affiliation. What I have found is that the more I put into Rotary, the more fun and reward I get back in return.
I want to leave my year as your club president with this final thought. This next year, consider your role in Rotary and what talents you can offer to the club and to the international organization. You do not have to be an officer, a director, or a committee chair. Just serve! This next year, I want you to be able to say when you are asked, "I am a Rotarian!"
Thank you for a great and memorable year.
Yours in Rotary,
Steve Walden