Our club's zany tradition where we said farewell to President Bruce!
Sunrise Rotarians and guests gathered at the Step Down of President Bruce Belfiore and are greeted with Italian music played by accordionist Michael Gutin.
Don “Da’ Carpetbagger” Provolone played by Kirk Greene calls his crew, Jann "Money Bags" Greene, Joanne "The Godmother" Schoenfeld, and Kathleen "Da’ Shark” Rogers, to prepare Bruce for a swim. Pseudo Bruce played by Chris Baxter steps forward to continue the meeting with missing duty volunteers, forgotten birthdays and anniversaries, and weird facts about Italy.
The meeting continues with the Kule Klub’s rendition of “That’s Belfiore!”(to the tune of “That’s Amore”). Pseudo Bruce calls for Joanne and Tina to share their A Tavola Insieme (a.k.a. Too Much Information), then Connard shares his new book “Swimming Aimlessly,” at which time Sunrise swimmers paddle through the room.
President Bruce’s fondness for “Toy Story” reminds him that just like Woody and Jesse (Kathleen and Marjorie), he knows when the road looks rough ahead and he’s swimming in the cool Italian waters, he’s “Got a Friend in Rotary.” Denny the Dolphin reports all of the dolphins have swum away. Pseudo Bruce tries to induct a new member but forgets his name (Dayne, Damian, Duane), forgets the 4-Way Test, and the words to the induction ceremony.
From Scotland Yard, Bill Abel charges Bruce with impersonating a Rotary club president, and handcuffs him at which time everyone sings, “He’s in the Jailhouse Now.”
Judge Judy (Judith McCaffrey) calls out Bruce for all his transgression’s and gives him three choices in order to avoid a lifelong jail sentence. 1) Pope Francis (Joe Clark) asks Bruce to return to the motherland to take his place. 2) Don Provolone (Kirk Greene) makes Bruce and offer he cannot refuse to “swim with the fishes."
3) RI past president Mark Maloney (playing himself) joins by video and offers Bruce a job at Rotary International for “a special assignment.” The audience votes to send Bruce to work for Rotary International. The choice is made and Bruce steps down as President. Handcuffs were removed and he is off to begin his sentence. No step down would be complete without Bill Abel’s custom recital of Lirty Dies.
The pin ceremony takes place for the new President’s line: Bruce Belfiore, past President; Ellen Chase, President (it happened but no photo proof); and Liz Alves, President Elect. Arrivederci, Bruce!
A message from President Bruce: "As the 2023-2024 Rotary year comes to a close, I take this final opportunity to thank all of the members of my board of directors, and in fact all of the members of the club, for their fantastic efforts during the course of a very productive, inspiring and impactful year. Service above self has indeed been evidenced by our activities both here at home and abroad, especially in Mexico, Nicaragua and India.
I also take this opportunity to wish incoming President Ellen Chase and her board all the best for a very wonderful 2024-25 year, full of activities and successes that exemplify Rotary's special place in our community and our world. Auguri!"
View more photos here.