President David's Closing Remarks

 

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

It has been a wonderful year and a great pleasure for me to have been your President for the tenure of 2001/2002. Following is a brief overview of our club's accomplishments over the past 12 months.

Early this year it was my honor with assistance from (George Whittle, Lisa Keenan, Bill Bridges, Robert Lockhart, Ross Coates and Bill Gale) to arrange a dinner for Lloyd Lake in celebrating his 50 years in Rotary. Thanks to everyone who turned out for the fun raiser with our esteemed Rotarian friend.

We have given a great deal of funds away again this year, another tribute to your tremendous support and hard work.

Just to name a few, (DARE Project, Boys and Girls Club, Rotary Boys Choir, Student Assistance, Junior Achievement, Christmas Kettle Campaign, Belfast Children, Rotary Camp, Special Olympics, Ghana project, and many more).

This past weekend Kathy and I attended our district conference in Moncton and were honored to receive a Presidential Club Citation award, again a tribute to your untiring efforts of support as a member.

This year every club was challenged to induct one member a month with a net retention of 7. Our club will accomplish this with the last new prospect's name published in this Bulletin. This in my mind is another great accomplishment and a tribute once again to your commitment.

I'm always in awe when I read or hear of what R.I. has done or is doing and I encourage all of our new members to get involved and enjoy the fruits of our labour and fellowship. Last month Kathy and I along with the Schaerers, Richards and the Kimballs took part in a Rotary Friendship Exchange to Kansas City. What a marvelous organization Rotary is to give us the opportunity to meet other Rotarians anywhere in the world. The trip was one of lasting memories and friendships.

It has been a successful year and it could not have been without the entire club. I would like to mention a few people who embodied service above self. Gary Watson, Greg Pope and Gary Ouellette for the Xmas cakes. Mark Richards for the most profitable Black Tie Dinner ever. Mike Schulze for his dedication to the car draw. All of my board members and chairpersons. Basil Thidodeau for the bulletin. Kim Linton for all the work on programs and speakers. Garry Safford, Club Secretary for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Steve Whitters for handling all the treasurers duties. And last a few of my go to people for advice and council, Heinz Schaerer, Bill Ives, Robert Lockhart, Ann Secord, and my best friend, my wife Kathy. I wish Bill Ives your incoming Pres. all the very best and I know each and everyone of you will do your best as you have done for me.

In closing I feel we truly lived up to our theme "Mankind is our Business" and express our heart felt thanks to one and all.

Dave and Kathy