New officers installed as Rotary Club looks to the future
Abiles confident the club can continue to grow
New Rotary President
New Rotary President Pat Abiles is sworn is by his predecessor, Bonnie Palmer.
New officers installed as Rotary Club looks to the future By Joey Chenoweth, Editor Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc.
After a year that has seen the Rotary Club continue to make its philanthropic impact on the city of Coolidge, President Bonnie Palmer passed on leadership to Pat Abiles during the club’s annual installation ceremony.
Palmer first spoke to the Rotarians, expressing her satisfaction in the club’s ability to meet the goals she set when she became president a year ago. Those goals were to get the house in order, recruit new members while retaining the current ones, accomplish goals that this club has set for itself in the community and have fun.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed this year,” Palmer said. “We’ve really done a lot this year, and that’s all because you all were willing to do that. And I know under Pat’s leadership, we’re going to maintain that momentum and even reach greater heights.”
The Rotary Club is a philanthropic organization with branches across the county. The Coolidge club raises money for purchasing books for schools, providing scholarships to students wishing to enter vocational schools, sending kids to leadership camps and participating in a student exchange program.
Abiles presented Palmer with some gifts in appreciation for her work with the club this year.
“You’ve done some things for this club that have really helped us,” Abiles said. “I think we all owe you our gratitude and respect, because you’ve been one of the best presidents I have ever served under.”
In addition to Abiles, several other officers were appointed for the upcoming year. Lynn Parsons remains as secretary, Karl Cardova and Ray Murrieta remain as treasurer and Bob Flatley is the sergeant of arms. Relative newcomer Larry Graham-Johnson is the president-elect, meaning he will take over for Abiles next year.
“Because we’re a small club, we’re a very close blub,” Abiles said. “So it’s more of a friendship than it is an organization sometimes. We work hard together, we have fun together.
“If you think about all the things that we accomplished, all that we have done for children and the community and even internationally, it’s a lot.”
Abiles listed some goals he would like the club to accomplish during his year as president, including recruitment and retention, objectives in the community, leadership development and public relations.