I hear the last meeting of the Rotary year was a good one, with an interesting and discussion-provoking presentation by Heidi Hall on behalf of the South Yuba River Citizens League. Thanks to pP John Hensley for hosting.
There was also an interesting fines and recognitions discussion, with a new baby girl (Della) for Club Photographer Derek Poppell and his Rotaractor wife Sharon (Congrats, guys! Try to get some sleep!), a new condo on Kauai for PDG Dave Denney and Honorary Rotarian Gayle, a milestone for the Fluke Clan as Dave’s youngest grandchild graduated college. Lucy, the missing bell – soon to be Eleanor’s responsibility – made no appearance, but experience suggests she (the bell – not Eleanor) will come to haunt me one last time at Saturday’s Demotion.
We also elected our Board for next year. Congrats and thanks to President Eleanor Kenitzer, President-Elect Carolyn Inglis, Secretary Dave Kenitzer, Treasurer Ellen Davis, Foundation Chair Bob Buhlis, PR / Vocational Chair Nicole Dillard, New Generations Chair Austin Farrar, International Service Chair Nancy Kemp, Club Service Chair Dixie Redfearn, Membership Chair Walt Stickel, and Community Service Chair Cathy Wilcox-Barnes. Good luck for a fun and fulfilling year!
As this is my last "Michael’s Mumbles" (start thinking of a name for Eleanor’s column, George!), this is my opportunity to thank all of you for allowing me to serve as President of your Club. I enjoyed it immensely, made many lasting friendships and deepened my sense of belonging to this wonderful community. We had a successful year – we didn’t quite meet our ambitious goal of 10 new members, but we did have the largest percentage growth in membership for a mid-sized Club in District 5190. We did meet our goals to develop new leadership, revitalize our committee structure, and have a good time. The many awards we picked up at the District Conference didn’t hurt either.
pP Ben Barretta put it well when he said "the President just runs the meetings; the Club members run the Club." You ran it well. Many thanks to all of you who contributed time, money, energies and ideas; especially the members of the Board, the folks who filled various roles at the last minute, and the many folks who quietly, competently, and efficiently make so many of the good works of our Club just seem to happen. We have a wonderful, vibrant Club and I am proud to be a member of it. Thank you for the opportunity to serve it for a while. It was an opportunity and experience I will not forget!
Make your plans for the Annual Demotion Dinner Party – June 26th from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Odd Fellows Hall on Spring Street in, Nevada City. Note the new location. RSVPs were due by the end of the Club meeting on June 17th, but call (265-3102) or email (dixierefearn@att.net) Dixie Redfearn to see if she can accommodate one or two more if you can join us. It’s $25 a head.
It should be a fun party and a good chance to celebrate the end of a successful Rotary year. See you there!
