President Steve's Address for the coming year. Make a Difference.
First time as President of the Club – I didn’t want it. R Dan was Pres and I was Sec, DG Bill P was here and wanted to know who. It was June and we had no Pres for July. Dan said I would. I didn’t say no. So I was it.
PP Dan held us (me) together as a club – his positive attitude, never say die, his enthusiasm. I appreciated it then and still do.
If you noticed, I am a quiet person. Introvert. I don’t readily tell you about myself. I don’t show a lot of enthusiasm.
Over years, especially work issues, I have changed, small ways, some for good, some not. Sorry for the less than ideal traits I may exhibit from time to time.
April 2014 – Call from Brian Thompson. Who is he? No relation to R Dan.
DGE for 14/15. Asked if I would be an ADG. Later learned R Mike Parker suggested my name. I will have to thank R Michael – truly.
I took job seriously. I wanted to do a good job. Therefore, participate.  – it is what I needed.
Easy – FUN. Just show up. No planning, organizing. Just be there, support them, have Fun.
Best thing, it took me out of Brighton and this club. A chance to see how other clubs function, what they do.            
  • Small clubs like Colborne 16 – 18
  • Big club - Cobourg 140
See how they run their meetings, fund raisers, socials, etc.
Also attended District Events – District Conference, Foundation Walks, Assembly, training, meetings etc.
Rotary became much bigger – I got excited. This is me being excited.
Now I didn’t plan to be President again. But it happened. There was a need.
Unlike my first time as President, I am excited about it, looking forward to it. I want to work with you and see if some of my Rotary excitement will rub off.
Today, I want to share with you some of my ideas for this coming year with you. We’ll experiment a little and see what sticks.
LET’S HAVE FUN!
Socials –         monthly, by PODS or committee?
                        With other clubs – share the fun
Community Service – let’s get our hands dirty, monthly
            This includes the Bar B Q’s we do,
            Weeding we have done
            Other ideas – plant trees for HOH? Pick up garbage,
            Asked R Mark to help with ideas – he knows community and in a unique position to know where help is needed. But you can suggest things too.
            Again, by PODS or committee?
We have FRIENDS OF ROTARY
Promote Rotary – District, RI, Polio Plus, Foundation
Work with other clubs – both Rotary and in our Community like the Lion’s.
Club Forum (rather than ‘business mtg’) – not regurgitate Board meeting, you can read it, but to share ideas, idea is short meeting then we break into committees. Save on separate meetings. If not involved in committee, leave early. Or participate. Have a say. I am calling this a club Forum. My plan to have club forum first Friday of each month.
Membership – Vibrant Club – growing, exciting, having FUN
            Vision / Strategic Plan – In 2014 PP Mark asked Bruce Davis to help our club develop a Strategic Plan. Bruce investigated and developed a survey and then he translated survey results into a basic plan with results and recommendations. We have been sitting on that plan. I want to review with you the ideas from 2014. It is summarized into the Rotary 5 areas of service:
  1. Club Service
  2. Community Service
  3. International Service
  4. Vocational Service
  5. Youth or New Generations Service
  6. Bruce added a 6th – open to any ideas from the club that possibly didn’t fit into the previous 5.
I want to monthly, at club forum review each of these areas and the 2014 results with you. Possibly in early 2018 we can have a club visioning session and develop and implement a plan for the next 3 to 5 years. A living thing. It is our club – what do we want. LET’S HAVE FUN!