President Dave's Installation
Posted by Kevin Smith-Fagan
on Jul 07, 2015
The Rotary Club of Sacramento gathered merrily on July 7 to celebrate the installation of David Cohen as its president for 2015-16. Past President Walter Dahl chaired the meeting, which was held at the Alumni Center at Sacramento State. A regal procession opened the meeting, featuring first the trustees of the RCS Foundation (Doug Crumley, Jim Leet, Leesa Fons, Heidi Hershenhouse, Kelley Moran, Past President Hal Bartholomew, Larry Gilzean, Jim Leet, Brad Towne, Steve Heath, Dennis Smith, Shirlee Tully); followed by the club directors (Todd Andrews, Jim Culleton, Amin Elmallah, Randy Friedman, John Lemmon, Dick Osen, Tanya Kravchuk, Becki Roberts, Diane Schachterle and Virginia Wade); and then the officers of the club, secretary Shelly Mathews, treasurer Michele Amaral, sergeant-at-arms John McIntyre, president-elect Dan McVeigh…and then at last, the new president himself, accompanied by his personal theme song “Hells Bells.”
With the parade finished, Past President Walter thanked the meeting’s wine sponsor, Pat Derickson, and gave a shoutout to President Dave’s deejay for the year, Aaron French. John Wood presented a Thought for the Day on the impact of generosity. Guests were welcomed, niceties observed, and lunch was served.
A scintillating array of club announcements included Bob Miller saluting the sponsors of the upcoming Golf for Kids event and encouraging foursome signups for the August 10 outing. Past President Susan Sheridan noted the early success in signing up riders for the club’s October 10 cycling fundraiser, the Sacramento Century ride – with 430 registered toward a goal of 2,000 riders. With a family component and an Oktoberfest, the event will offer something for everyone! John Swentowsky acknowledged the players on the club softball team; and Past President Walter encouraged all to attend the BBQ and swim party coming up on July 25 at the home of past presidents Beverly Brautigam and Hal Bartholomew.
Introducing the incoming president, John Lemmon articulated President Dave’s myriad personal qualities, and his efforts to better our community (including work with Sierra Forever Families, Sutter Health, and Fairytale Town); along with President Dave’s long history of service within the club (board service, chairing committees including firesides, the club centennial, and Bids for Kids twice). John called upon Dave Higdon to share memories from President Dave’s energetic service in the 20/30 Club – “I have nothing,” said Dave. Past President Peter Dannenfelser remarked upon President Dave’s community involvement – “Um, he has a tattoo.” And Past President Diane Mizell endorsed our new leader – “I don’t really know the guy.”
A hearty round of pinning came next. Past President Susan affixed the president’s pin/s on the lapel of President Dave. President Dave affixed the past president’s pin upon the lapel of Past President Susan. President Dave honored his wife Diann with a Rotary pin and a quick pirouette to her favorite song (“Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch”).
To honor the new president, four of his fellow travelers on the recent Rotary trip to South America offered contributions – Bob McLean, Dee Hartzog, Diane Woodruff, and Karen Diepenbrock.
Arriving finally at the podium to a standing O, President Dave outlined his vision for the coming year and served notice that his term would inject numerous changes into the club. Club members can look forward to a variety of music at meetings. He will implement a new structure for giving (fines are gone). Building on the success of the inaugural Sacramento Century cycling fundraiser last year, the club will again forego Bids for Kids while adding another public-focused fundraiser, the Pony Express Marathon. The oldest continuous Rotary benefit in the world, our club’s Golf for Kids, will continue. The club will add a service opportunity this year with the Sacramento Food Bank. With an eye on punching up the club’s profile and its membership, President Dave plans aggressive marketing and social media efforts. “We can and should be doing more than we ever have,” stated the new president.
President Dave closed by exhorting all members to attend next week’s Tuesday meeting, when the gathering will take the form of the club’s first-ever “club assembly.”
And with that, Past President Walter adjourned the first meeting of the Cohen regime!