Changeover Remarks

About Us » Past Presidents » Norm Purdy
Norm Purdy
 

July 8, 2013

Fellow Rotarians,

I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to all of you who helped make the past Rotary year successful. My message to the club at charter night in June was that Rotary is not about me – it is about you , and that is the core meaning of “Service Above Self”.

This year we identified four priorities for our 99th year: grow our Membership, raise $60k, improve our Speaker line up,  and  have more Fun. To accomplish this we adopted the theme “Members First”.

I am pleased to report to you that we have been successful in improving upon or reaching all of our main goals.  Under Kent's able leadership, we welcomed back Elizabeth Jadoo and Manny Adair to the club. We inducted Peter Turner, Heather Noseworthy, Sally Cummings, SG Lee, Walter Schirrmeister, and Brian Fitzpatrick as active members, and inducted His Worship Mel Norton as an honorary member. I am confident that our recruiting efforts will continue as Kent and Heather have a hopper of prospects and a pretty effective orientation program.

I have to recognize Vijay's exemplary leadership and service in arranging at least twelve “fellowship” events. I have him to thank for my wife Lynn's new-found predilection  for fine champagnes as a result of the Happinez champagne tasting event in January. I am pleased to see that Gary and Anna have agreed to host the 2nd annual chili and rib cook-off in September. From the Indian dinner to the Ghost Walk, to the Rust Remover, Vijay kept us busy all year long. I'd also like to thank Jay for organizing the lobster dinner event this year – another expensive evening (for me) courtesy of the Toonie Toss.

Bill Ives exceeded my expectations in arranging speakers to keep our lunch meetings relevant and interesting. We hosted political and business leaders, but perhaps the most interesting talks were from small business owners and people just like us ... trying to make a difference in their own way.

I feel it important to recognize the contribution of those Rotarians who go above and beyond to help us reach our financial goals. We are a service club and as our treasurer reminds us every month at board meetings we need to watch our finances closely. Perhaps the one person that we have come to take for granted but deserves our thanks and our appreciation, is Stuart Urdang. Stu's incessant jokes are often a distraction, but it is his way of saying Hello and Welcome to Rotary. Without Stu we would not be able to do all of the things that are important for the community. I also want to recognize Imelda and Rod for taking leadership roles in our PGA and Fruitcake campaigns. Together we raised in excess of $50,000 this year and are ontrack to exceed that next year.

Earler in June, I was pleased to attend a sunrise meeting at the Rothesay Kings club, with Heinz and the District Governor. Our Interact club received a Presidential Citation for achievement in community and international service. Heinz has been instrumental in mentoring this club and they are one of the most successful Interacts in the district. Our club also hosted and sponsored exchange students again this year. We have come to take this for granted but it is quite an achievement to be able to offer this program year after year.

This year we carried through our commitments to the Boys and Girls Club operating and capital programs, we sponsored the Rotary Boys Choir, sent kids to Camp Rotary, and repeated our scholarship program at local schools. We also committed to funding a Snozelan room in Loch Lomond Villa over three years.

In May we hosted a GSE team from central India. Thanks to Rotarians, Don, Kit, Kent, Lloyd, and Vijay, our guests were entertained, lodged, and introduced to Saint John professionals in our visitors’ fields of study.

One of my personal goals for this Rotary year was to earn a Presidential Citation from Rotary International. Now, as many of you probably know, by now I am bit of a procrastinator. And true to form, when I got around to applying for the award I realized we were missing one of the key criteria..... a Public Relations Campaign using “We're this close” or “ Humanity in Motion” theme from RI. Uh Oh. How could we orchestrate a “significant” campaign in just 4 weeks with no budget? Did I mention that we welcomed Elizabeth Jadoo back to the club? Well she has been my personal saviour and because of the 14 Days to 5000  campaign we did indeed qualify and receive a Presidential Citation, one of just nine awarded in our district this year. Thank  you so much Elizabeth!

So in closing, let me reiterate, any success we have experienced this year is yours. Each of you earned it and you must take the credit. While you may not lead initiatives or committees, you contribute to Rotary in your own way. I am humbled to have been given the opportunity to lead you for a year which has gone by in the snap of a finger (well actually the snap of a left tibia in my case).

Rotarians I hope I have met your expectations, for I can say with certainty that you have served your community well and that my dear friends is what Rotary is all about.  

I would now like to recognize the following Rotarians with President’s Citations for service this year

  • Elizabeth Jadoo for Public Relations ( 14 days to 5000 project)
  • Bill Ives for Club Service
  • Vijay Kawatra for Club Service – Fellowship
  • Kent MacIntyre for Club Service – Membership Development
  • Heinz Schaerer for New Generations Service

I would ask the following Rotarians to come forward to accept Distinguished Service awards:

  • Stuart Urdang – Club Service Fundraising
  • Rod Flood – Club Service – Fundraising
  • Imelda Gilman – Club Service – Fundraising

Would the Board members please come forward and accept a small token of appreciation for you service this past Rotary. Thank you for donating your time and your effort and for 12 early mornings at 100 Main St.

Shelley has the final numbers in for attendance please congratulate the following Rotarians for perfect attendance this past Rotary Year.

Again to club members, it has been my honor and privilege to serve and I take this opportunity to pass the gavel and welcome our new President Kent MacIntyre. Kent please come forward.