President Peters Perspective

It is said that the older we get, the faster time passes.  This has been my experience. Add the honor of serving as your president and, as you might imagine, this year has flown by.

To thank every member who took action this year to fulfill our motto “Service Above Self” is obviously not possible and to mention any is to overlook many . . . still I am compelled to thank the board of directors, the foundation trustees, our Bids for Kids co-chairs Ted White and Leonard Simpson, Golf For Kids co-chairs Norm Marshall and Todd Sorensen, my Sergeant-at-Arms Rick Davis and Dave Higdon, “The Wine Guy”.  Bob Rosenberg headed up the Program Committee and did a stellar job of providing informative and interesting guest speakers.  Clayton Lee and John Phair headed up the World Community Service Committee and Richard Slepian oversaw the Projects and Priorities Committee.  Thank you to everyone who stepped up and helped make this a successful year of Rotary service.

We met our club foundation Eddie Mulligan goal and about half of our international foundation Paul Harris goal and gained about as many new members as those who left.  Not a record any president wants but we lost eight members: Bob Biko, George Gibson, Herb Greydanus, Brian Kidney, Richard Reese, Marty Rosa, Past-President Carl Spilman and John Stockman.  Rest in peace friends.

Congratulations to our newest honorary member Kiefie Brewer and to Bob Daly for earning the Ludy Langer Spirit Award.  Susan Drack and Leesa Fons both received our highest club honor - Sacramento Rotary Fellow.

My wife Lori and I are grateful to the club for the trip to the international convention in Bangkok and to be able to represent our club in the village Duon On Cambodia where our club installed water wells and distributed water filters for each family. . . More Rotary memories that will last a lifetime.  Thank You. 

Considering the rich history and traditions of the Rotary Club of Sacramento and all of the dedicated individuals who serve now and have served in bygone decades, and the incredible volume of value we have created in our community and around our world -  in this light, it has truly been an honor to serve as the president of the Rotary Club of Sacramento.  Next to the privilege of living with my wife, it has been the highest honor of my life.

Together, with your support, we have enjoyed another great year under the international banner, “Peace Through Service”.

And . . . thank you to the Rotary office staff for all of your support, encouragement and guidance and to the dedicated crew that sets up our meetings each week.

Please join us Monday evening at the Elk’s Building if you are able so I can personally thank you and toast the year behind us.

For the Oneness of All People -

President Peter Dannenfelser II