One Last Time From President Scot
This will be the final article I write as your Club President. Let me say at the outset that I continue to be deeply humbled and honored with the trust you have placed upon me throughout this year as I have served as your President.
It was back in December of 2008 when Past-President Diane Mizell came to my office here at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and when she arrived with a bevy of Past-Presidents in tow, I knew something was up…what was up was an amazing journey of learning, leadership and service. The learning piece took me deeper not into the complex intricacies of our Club, but to a better understanding of Rotary International. The leadership journey allowed me the privilege to work with some of the best leaders in our community. And, the journey of service has opened by eyes to the incredible diverse ways in which our Rotary Club of Sacramento serves one another, our community and our world.
When I started my term as President back in July 2010 I spoke of some membership goals as well as some giving goals. As to the membership goals, I had challenged all of us that we add 52 new members in this Rotary year 2010-2011, knowing also that we would lose 36 members over that same time period. As I shared with the Club on Monday, we did not meet this challenging goal. We added 19 wonderful new members, but that was far short of our goal. And, we lost 44 members due to resignation and termination and five Rotarians died this year. In other words, we experienced a net loss of 30 members. But, I do want you all to know that we have a dozen prospective members who are all in process of joining. Together, I am certain that we can turn this tide and help President Ken have a terrific year of membership growth!
On the giving goals we exceeded my wildest imagination. YOUR generosity is amazing. In spite of an economic reality that we know is trying and troubling for every sector, you, the members of the Rotary Club of Sacramento show time and again your commitment to service. During this past Rotary year $31,128 has been given to The Rotary Foundation (Paul Harris Fellowships and to PolioPlus.) And during this year $62,309 has been given to the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation (Eddie Mulligan’s, Rotary Rooters, YIP, etc.). But that is not all. Let us not forget that our Golf 4 Kids event in October had a net of over $35,000 that was distributed to the schools we support to help physically impaired children. And, finally, through your generosity and corporate support the early totals suggest we raised over $388,000 for the Powerhouse Science Center at Bids 4 Kids! That brings the total to $516,437! We cannot forget that those dollars raised, that half-million dollars raised is more than a number…it represents lives that have been touched with hope and compassion.
Next, I want to say THANK YOU. Thank you to all of my committee chairs and the wonderful work they have done all year. They are the ones who have made this year special. A special thanks to my Program Committee under the great leadership of Kevin Smith-Fagan and John McIntyre; my Golf 4 Kids event under the watchful eye of Steve Raymond; my Bids for Kids enthusiastic chairs Jon Snyder and Rita Gibson. I want to thank the Board of Trustees of our Foundation who does a fabulous job of stewarding our resources. I want thank the Rotary Board of Directors who have been outstanding colleagues, partners and friends on this journey. I would be remiss if I did not lift up the dedicated and hard working staff of our Club. To Alex and Cindy, I am deeply grateful for all of your hard work throughout the year. As the Club lived through three changes in Executive Director, you experienced it in more direct ways, and yet your loyalty and professional manner to our Club was exemplary. And to our Executive Director Hal, who joined the team as our Interim ED in December, and ED without the interim title in March, I say Thank You. You provided incalculable assistance and truly lightened my load.
As I said on Monday, my final thank you goes to my family, my son Kai (by the way, I am one proud father for the way, at seven years of age, he lead the Son’s Day meeting), and my wife Kathy. Thank you for sharing me with the Club throughout this journey.
To each and every one of you of the Rotary Club of Sacramento it has been my distinct honor and pleasure to have served you this year. It has been a great blessing to me, and I believe that together we have been a blessing to others. I will always treasure this year, and I look forward to our shared work together in our great Club “Where Leaders Meet to Serve.”
President Scot