Pictured L-R: Jim Hutcheson, President Elect presents award to outgoing President Andrew George
JULY 5TH PRESIDENT’S INSPIRATIONAL SPEECH FOR 17/18
Fellow members
As we look forward to this new 17/18 year we are mindful that we are all members of an international club which has long traditions & challenging opportunities in our many Avenues of Service into the future.
Membership retention & growth remain priorities as well as the development of a centennial project with our joint club partners.
We will continue to work towards bringing you great programs & some fine fellowship events.
Even though we have passed the 100 year mark, let us continue to find out about our fellow Rotarian’s vocations, present & past, & seek ways to best channel our varied experiences and knowledge into serving those around us. The efforts to find new ways to communicate who we are as a club & individuals as well as to enhance the existing media, the Club Runner & the Directory , will be undertaken this year.
We as a club have supported & will continue to support youth programs for our students in this community. Youth from abroad still seek the opportunity to come to Missoula. Let us all search for welcoming homes, families & individuals for these enthusiastic students so that our Rotary Youth Exchange Program will be able to offer reciprocal exchanges to the young people of Missoula.
As we are part of Rotary International, let us participate where we are able in Rotary’s efforts to end Polio now, provide clean water & sanitation, eradicate human trafficking & enhance ongoing world literacy projects. On one of these focus areas your club is making efforts with the Missoula Rotaract Club to establish a water project in Africa. Polio continues to thrive in an ever smaller part of the world & our club will continue to help in the fight for the complete elimination of the virus.
To paraphrase our new Rotary International President’s theme, “Rotary has, is and will be making a difference!”
Let us commit this year to be known as Rotarians, “PEOPLE OF ACTION”.
Jim Hutcheson, President 2017-2018