Message from President Steve
It is difficult to believe that another Rotary year is ending. When, as a President you arrive at this point, you understand what each President before you felt. Yes, I am counting the days. However, something in the back of my mind says, "I wish I had a second year". At this point, you begin to understand what great things Rotary can and has accomplished.
The reality is I can still be involved and as fellow Rotarians, you can as well. Pick a project for the year; make your goal to help just one of our projects be successful. If you are not one who is inclined to volunteer just send a note to the Board offering your help. It's easy; you did it once when you consented to join Rotary.
The help I have received in the past year has proven invaluable. The Past Presidents including Past President Sally helped sort out a lot of the clutter.
My appreciation to Youth Exchange Officers, Virginia Stonkas and Sally Saddler. It is great to have such a complicated program handled so efficiently. I suspect we are the envy of many other clubs. (Don't forget to spend some time with Vinicius.) If you have never acted as a host family contact
A second opportunity for service in this area comes as Svenja Maier our 16-year-old German female exchange student arrives in August. (I suspect both the month and the attitude). This means we will be doing double duty with exchange students, host families, and hosting in general.
My appreciation to the Board, Karen West continues to make Rotary Foundation look easy. Mindy Gross stepped in and assumed responsibility for the largest area of service on the Board. Fred Morino snags the unwary for membership and with the help of many Rotarians feeds the hungry. Mary Siroky and the Program Committee have made the clubs meetings, administration, and me look good more than once.
Lynne Johnson continues to whine for wine. With the help of a significant number of our membership, they have created the most profitable fundraiser the Juneau Rotary Club possesses. Rich Stone has kept the beans counted and Nicole Clark made certain the beans were legal.
Two notes concerning members who are not on the board. The first is Mary Lou Gerbi (PR and Pics). The most fun I have in the meeting has been giving the picture presentation to our guest speaker at the conclusion.
For the second Rotarian I have to travel back in time to April 2002. Then President Scott Fischer, described this individual as a "Supercharged Rotarian" who always gets the last word in. Time has passed, but apparently, things have not changed. Denny Dewitt along with Kara Hollatz still manage to "get the last word" and the last dollar.
Now it is my turn to get the "last word". According to Rotary International's three-year plan of succession, our new President should be wrapping up items that have carried over from the two previous boards. I am pleased to say in the areas of community service and scholarships just to identify two; we have accelerated our successes and completed several of our three-year projects in just two years. Our financial condition is good, our membership diversified, and we have an excellent incoming Board.
Thank you for helping me through this year and allowing me the privilege to serve. My best wishes to our new President and Board. (Just 6 days, but who's counting?)
Steve