Cogitator June 15, 2011 (Installation Banquet)
Passing of the gavel, Ed Neff to Mike Gemma, at the Rotary Installation Dinner
ROTARY INSTALLATION NIGHT, AT THE EAST GREENWICH FIREMAN'S HALL
It was a beautiful night for an installation dinner, overlooking Greenwich Cove at the Fireman's Hall on Queen Street. Rotarians, family and guests enjoyed pre-dinner appetizers and cocktails outside on a perfect early summer evening. Master of ceremonies (and 'G-rated' comic for the night) Corey Guglietti got us under way as the crowd was seated.
President Ed Neff began with a presentation highlighting the great work the club did in the 2010-2011 Rotary year. Ed stated that the installation banquet in 2010 was his best moment ever in Rotary. However, that June 2010 evening now falls to second place, as the June 2011 banquet takes over first place. There is much for Ed to be proud of as he passes the torch to incoming president, Mike Gemma, and takes a welcome sigh of relief after a very busy and successful year:
-The Election Day Breakfast took in nearly $1,000, thanks to committee chair John Wolcott.
-The Citrus Drive took in $6,600, thanks to the good work of Dave Caldwell and his committee.
-The Phonebook Campaign netted $42,500, under the excellent leadership of committee chair and Club Secretary Betsy DePrimo.
-The Scott Carlson ALS 5K raised $55,000, thanks to the never-ending efforts of committee leader Judy Pratt.
-The club gave out $7,000 in Paul Harris Fellowships, under the guidance of long time Paul Harris Director George Popella.
-Happy Bucks revenue came in at nearly $2,000, thanks to John Wolcott's fine efforts as Happy Bucks (and Fines) Meister.
All told, the Rotary Club of East Greenwich distributed over $132,000 in the 2010-2011 year, a new record for the club under Ed's leadership!
BIPIN PANCHOLI ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR
Former Rotarian and last year's Rotarian of the Year, Jerry Meyer, presented this year's Bipin Pancholi Rotarian of the Year award. He gave it away when early in his description of the awardee he mentioned 'Taste of the Town.' Jane Boynton had a pretty busy year in Rotary. She chaired Taste of the Town which raised $16,000(!), and was an active board member all year including serving as International Service Director. Jane also worked in the Phonebook, Citrus Drive, and ALS 5K committees, serving with her usual effervescent drive on each. A true worker with infectious energy, an inspiration for all, and a joy to be around, Jane is the Rotary Club of East Greenwich's 2010-2011 Rotarian of the Year.
(Jane Boynton, Rotarian of the Year, with President Ed Neff.)
Jane was speechless when presented with the award. But then again, what more could she say? Actions always speak louder than words, and Jane's non-stop action all year long certainly speaks for itself. Congratulations, Jane!
ROTARY OFFICER AND BOARD INSTALLATION
(Induction of the 2011-2012 officers and board members.)
The 2011-2012 club officers and board members were sworn in by President Ed.
General Officers--
-President, Mike Gemma
-President Elect, Ken Colaluca
-Secretary, Jodi Gladstone
-Treasurer, Mike Balsamo
-Assistant Treasurer, Dave Caldwell
-Sergeant at Arms, Jim Essex
-Past President, Ed Neff
Board Members--
-Community Service, Chuck Sauer
-International Service, Jane Boynton
-Club Service, Bob Miller
-Vocational Service, Sally Russell
-New Generations, Bill Ten Eyck
Directors at Large--
Bob Sloan, Pat Lenihan, Judy Pratt, Richard Waterman, John Wolcott, and George Cooper.
INCOMING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS
Emcee Corey Guglietti introduced newly sworn-in president, Mike Gemma (in what Mike called a 'roast' rather than a 'toast'). Corey thanked Mike for having him wear a suit and tie while Mike was in casual attire, and he passed on a story of Mike being ejected once from a little league game for his 'passionate' behavior. But Corey also mentioned that Mike has been in East Greenwich his whole like, is a staple of the community, and is sure to have a terrific year as president.
Mike Gemma began with many thanks--for Corey's work as master of ceremonies, for Mike and Erica Balsamo's terrific job catering the night (Wild Harvest), for President Ed's phenomenal 2010-2011 year, and for his wife Julie, to whom he dedicates his presidency in the upcoming year.
Mike noted that before joining our club his only experience with Rotary was looking through a phonebook that the East Greenwich Club published each year. He had no idea what Rotary was about, that is, until Rotarian and family friend, Joyce Phipps, invited him to come check out the club at a lunch meeting. Mike procrastinated at first, Joyce persisted in her invitations, and Mike finally relented. Mike thanked Joyce for that introduction (and persistence) back in 2003, and went on to ask the club a good question, 'How many of us ask our own friends and colleagues this way, encouraging someone to take a look at Rotary?' Mike said 'Rotary has changed my life,' and he now urges the club to keep asking others to join us in our mission, and, to change a future Rotarian's life as well.
The recent Rotary International Convention in New Orleans which Mike attended pointed out that there are changes afoot in Rotary. For example, service rather than mandatory attendance will be emphasized. More frequent legislative councils will meet to discuss fresh ideas. And, Rotary will reach out to younger future Rotarians, 'Generation Y,' with social media like Twitter and Facebook.
The convention also pointed out a couple of other notable things to Mike. First, Rotary International is an all-inclusive club, rather than one seeking to build an exclusive clique. Secondly, so many long-time Rotarians have a deep passion for what they do, as demonstrated by Rotarians who were attending their 8th, 9th or 10th convention.
Mike passed on special thanks to Gill Thorpe, our remaining founding member from the 'class of 1963.' Finally, Mike ended with thanking each Rotarian; tireless volunteers one and all, putting forth constant efforts in individual ways while making our world a better place.
(Irene Ferreira and Ed Neff, with Mike and Julie Gemma, posing for the paparazzi.)
SPECIAL PAUL HARRIS AWARD PRESENTATION
Joyce Phipps joined Rotary 20+ years ago in March, 1991. Joyce has been, throughout those years, a quietly passionate leader in our club. One of her greatest efforts in 'seed planting' was, besides sponsoring Mike Gemma for membership, creating the Scott Carlson ALS 5K race, now a mainstay in our yearly community efforts. Scott Carlson, afflicted with ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease, was Joyce's son-in-law. Joyce got together with then-president, Janet Essex, and they agreed to put on an event to honor Scott as he, and Hillary (Joyce's daughter), struggled daily and courageously with the scourge of ALS. Scott succumbed to ALS in 2003, but the 5K race named for him and his undying spirit live on.
That seed planted, that little event back in 2001, under Joyce's and Janet's combined leadership, has now grown into a serious 5K race for local running enthusiasts. Some 500-700 runners gather each year, in April at Goddard Park, to raise funds in Scott's name. All proceeds are presented to the ALSA Rhode Island Chapter at their annual Evening of Hope. Eleven ALS 5K races later, with Judy Pratt's tremendous care as committee chairperson, the Scott Carlson Memorial ALS 5K has amazingly now donated $330,000 to ALSA of RI.
And so, in honor of Joyce's long time commitment to the club and her invaluable leadership, Paul Harris Director George Popella presented Joyce Phipps with her fifth Paul Harris pin (4 sapphire stones).
(Joyce Phipps, with incoming president Mike Gemma, holding a picture of Scott Carlson and her family.)
The torch has been passed...let the new Rotary year begin, July 1, 2011!
PS--Ed's year has yet one more 'feather in the cap,' and Mike's year begins victoriously...the Boston Bruins, on our Installation Night, notched their sixth Stanley Cup Championship, and first in 39 years, defeating the Vancouver Canucks in an exciting seventh and deciding game.