New President Narlene Carter-Keenan Addresses Club

Posted by Steve Schumann

Club Service Chairperson Robert Robert introduced our new club president Narlene Carter-Keenan, and Ms Narlene presented a slide show of her trip to New Orleans and the Rotary International Convention, told why she became a Rotarian, and gave each member present a Rotary pin representing this year's theme, Reach Within to Embrace Humanity.

Narlene's trip to New Orleans included dining at Mother's Restaurant, enduring the registration line at the Convention, browsing the Expo area with all the Rotary vendors, and checking out the various Club supplies available, all the while among the different fellowships, Cajun and Creole music and sampling cocktails and oysters. There were approximately 18,000 Rotarians in New Orleans for the convention.

Narlene and husband Dick had brunch at the Commander's Palace in an older home in New Orleans, enjoyed a bicycle ride with incoming Pismo Beach/Five Cities Club President Ashlea Boyer and her husband Michael, visited some of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina (three levies broke and flooded the area- about 70% of where homes used to be are now vacant lots), and snapped photos of some newly rebuilt homes. Also visited was the Cafe Beignet which serves their signature beignets (a warm powdered sugar donut-like pastry) with orange juice, soda and coffee 24 hours a day!

The weather was hot and humid, our First Couple visited Bourbon Street once, and they were impressed with New Orleans' Southern hospitality and found the locals to be helpful and friendly.

Narlene and Dick spent time with the new RI President's Director from the Netherlands, Paul Knyff of the Rotary Club of Weesp (Vechtstreek-Noord). Bill Gates was the speaker at the convention. Our new District 5240 District Governor was there (Go, Wade Nomura!), as well.

President Narlene wanted to tell the members why she became a Rotarian. Her grandfather was a Rotarian and when he passed away, the Rotarians from the Pismo Beach Club stepped forward at New Life Church to make to comfort her and her family, in their deep affection for her Grandfather. Every Rotarian stopped by each family member and had something to say. Pismo Club member Don McHaney suggested to Narlene and Dick to join the new Rotary Club of Grover Beach that the Pismo Club was forming.