Greeter: Dave Wheldon (aka Downtown Rotary’s very own ‘Skipper’)

Invocation: Jeff Gutierrez (played by Ken Beurmann)

Flag Salute: Jeff Gutierrez (played by Ken Beurmann)

Song: Jeff Gutierrez sang ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame’ (played by Ken Beurmann)

Program:

Our annual President's Demotion meeting once again proved why it is one of Rotary's most anticipated traditions—a perfect blend of fellowship, fundraising, and good-natured humor.

The afternoon kicked off with the auction of three incredible gift baskets, generously donated by fellow Rotarians. Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of our members, the baskets raised valuable funds for the Waterman Foundation, supporting the important work our club accomplishes throughout the year.

Good to see Ben Taft back in the pocket after last year's “Super-Choke”.

The entertainment began with former President Kristen Watson and Rotarian Ben Taft presenting Rotarians in the Wild. Set at the CALM Zoo, the spoof featured several familiar Rotarians in their "natural habitat" while playfully highlighting President Jeff Gutierrez's well-known affection for the zoo. Throughout his presidential year, Jeff donated nearly $2,000 through speaker gifts to support CALM and championed a remarkable $50,000 contribution to help the zoo secure a place on the ballot. It's safe to say the production found the perfect theme—and Jeff was a great sport as the star of the show.

The Luigi steaks were spot on!

The laughs continued when former President Ken Beurmann took the stage to "fill in" as Jeff, hilariously reenacting many of the memorable moments and quirks from Jeff's year as Club President. His impersonation had the room laughing from start to finish.

The afternoon concluded with the always-energetic live auction, expertly—or perhaps enthusiastically—hosted by Patrick Collins and Ben Taft. Together, they auctioned off exciting packages, raising even more funds for the Waterman Foundation. While the comedy may not earn them careers on the stand-up circuit anytime soon, their ability to entertain while inspiring generosity certainly made for an unforgettable finale.

Thank you to everyone who donated auction items, bid generously, performed, organized, and attended this special annual tradition. The President's Demotion is always a celebration of a successful Rotary year, and this year's event was no exception. Congratulations to Jeff Gutierrez on an outstanding year of leadership, service, and unwavering dedication to our club and community.