President's Message

With about two weeks left to serve in my term as your President I am beginning to become more reflective about these past months.  On Demotion Day on Monday, June 27 (during the regular lunch meeting) I will have a few minutes to share those thoughts, recap the year, and offer my deep, deep thanks to the hundreds of people that has made this a remarkable year for me personally, and hopefully, a fun and fulfilling Rotary year for you.

Many have asked if the year has gone by fast.  Well, I don't know about you, but I think every year flies by pretty fast...whether that be this Rotary year, or the almost eight year of my son's life, or my now 11 years in the Rotary Club of Sacramento, or starting my 13th year at St. John's Lutheran Church, or 21+ years of marriage to Kathy or nearly 28 years of ordained ministry...you get the point.  Our years are the collection of all of these streams and as the waters continue to rush on by, it is a thrilling and exhilarating ride.

This past Monday was a wonderfully jam-packed meeting. We recognized and celebrated our newest Sacramento Rotary Fellow, Chris Ann Bachtel, as well as welcoming our newest member, Sheryl Carlson. We also recognized those who had reached their first, or "next level" of Eddie Mulligan and Paul Harris contributions.  Seventeen members reached a next level of Eddie Mulligan's, including Thomas Blinn and Doug Crumley with their first and Glen Sorensen with his 15th!  Their total contributions represented $56,000 given to the Rotary Club of Sacramento Foundation.  Four members were so honored with Paul Harris' including Amin Elmallah and Bruce Hester with their first.  

But wait, there was more on Monday...we were privileged to honor the gifted High School Seniors from various high schools who have received Rotary Club of Sacramento scholarships. These scholarships were made possible due to the generosity of some outstanding Rotarians in providing the funds for these scholarships. Our hats are off and our appreciation goes to the Crowell, Strauch, Snyder, Arnold and Knox scholarship funds donors.  Leesa Fons was presented a District 5180 award for her work for The Rotary Foundation, AND, the PR and Marketing Committee displayed their work of a new logo for our club, as well as the beginning of a marketing campaign featuring activities and members of our Club.  Whew! Then we heard from our gifted and passionate speaker Rick Jennings.

I will encourage you all to come this Monday to the California Auto Museum for Son's Day.  (For the record, I did bring my son to daughter's day, so if any of you want to bring your daughters, that is OK, too.)  

Finally, I will be saying this a lot over the next few weeks, but thank you. Thank You for the rare privilege and immense honor this past year has been. Thank You for placing your trust in me, your Board of Directors and Executive Director. Thank You for your continued service to our community and our great Rotary Club of Sacramento, "Where leaders meet to serve."