FAREWELL FROM PUBLICATIONS AND WEBSITE EDITOR

Dear Readers, Fellow Rotarians, Family and Friends,

The time has come for me to bid you goodbye as Rotary II’s Publications and Website Editor. This is the time I find myself with a heavy heart, for I truly loved what  I was doing . However, I also see this time as a time of celebration of the past and the future.

This year we went from less than a hundred visitors to our website to nearly 2500. This year under President Lorraine’s commission we introduced a separate publication in itself, Tattler TIDBITS designed to be passed out at meetings while the electronic version of the newsletter, TATTLER was designed to be read at home.  Also new this year was a cadre of freelance writers and journalists who were on hand to produce feature stories. I was especially moved by PP Val George’s story,”Why Should I Care About Polio", while Rotarian Krim inspired me to  examine myself and adjust myself to make sure as a Rotarian I don’t become complacent but to be a Rotarian who lives out Rotary’s motto : Service Above Self.  Rtn. LaVerne interviewed and wrote a touching story about comedienne Hazelle Goodman.

We also developed a two man photography team of PP Al and PP Ted which enabled us to produce a weekly feature entitled 'Snapshots' that connected our Rotary family together even when  we weren’t together. I thought,  why read about what happens at Rotary when we can see. PP AL did a splendid job in getting candid photos and PP Ted was behind the scenes ready to jump in. Finally but not least, this was the first year Rotary II’s car Raffle went online as well as other electronic billings and transactions.

Other causes of celebration for the future of  Rotary II’s Publications and Website is 1) its  growth potential as was demonstrated by our increase in web traffic  and 2) the positive notes sent to me citing how well people enjoyed our website and publications.

I am forever grateful to Merle Kiture-Morgan who worked every week without fail. and PP Al Laborde  who also worked diligently every week. I appreciate PP Val, PP Ted , Rotarians LaVerne, Krim and Ida who were on call.

Fare thee well everyone.  I thank you for the honor to have served.

Rotarian Michele Downes

Publications and Website Editor 2011-2012

                                              My Final Tantalizing Truth:

Not how he died, but how did he live? Not what did he gain but what did he give ?

These are the units to measure the worth of a man as a man regardless of birth.

Not what was his church nor what was his creed but had he befriended those really in need?

Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer, to bring back a smile, to banish a tear?