Installation of Ken Colaluca and Club Officers, June 19, 2012

INSTALLATION OF PRESIDENT KEN COLALUCA, AND CLUB OFFICERS, TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 19^TH, QUIDNESSETT COUNTRY CLUB

Chuck Sauer began with an invocation, Betsy DePrimo led the Pledge of Allegiance (as we faced a small-but-still-red-white-and-blue flag which emcee John Wolcott managed to procure), and Jim Essex helped the club with a rousing patriotic song.  The 2012-2013 Rotary Club of East Greenwich’s Installation of Officers was under way.  District 7950 Assistant District Governor and Wakefield Rotarian Russ Bertrand, with wife Karen, was on hand for the swearing in ceremony. 

The festivities begin...

ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR

After cocktails and a delicious meal, Jane Boynton, Rotarian of the Year for 2010-2011, had the honors of announcing the recipient of the 2011-2012 Bipin Pancholi Rotarian of the Year Award.  It wasn’t much of a surprise to most, and Jane tipped off the club when she used descriptive words like ‘passionate,’ ‘totally dedicated,’ ‘oversaw 13 new members,’ and…‘serial e-mailer.’  Congratulations to outgoing President Mike Gemma!  Mike becomes the first active president to receive Rotarian of the Year honors.

Emcee John Wolcott and Jane Boynton present Mike Gemma with the Bipin Pancholi Rotarian of the Year Award.

OUTGOING PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Mike Gemma graciously thanked the club for his award, and began his outgoing address.

It was a busy year indeed for President Mike, and the diary he kept all year proves this.  Mike had a hand in just about everything, from the Veterans Day parade, to being on every major project/charity committee—Citrus, Phonebook, ALS 5K, and Taste of the Town. 

Mike gave special thanks to several Rotarians who helped make the past year so special:

-Gil Thorpe, a founding member of our club who ‘…embraces the new while supporting the club in such an enthusiastic way.'

-Stan Reuter, an ‘unsung hero,’ who helped Mike ‘look good all year long’ with new signs, thank-you cards, and Polio awareness posters for our march down Main Street. 

-Dr. Bob Miller and (‘Lady’) Jane Boynton, both past Rotarian of the Year recipients, whose support and encouragement all year meant the world to Mike. 

-Bill TenEyck, for his work with New Generations and with the formation of the new Rotaract Club at New England Institute of Technology.  Mike noted Bill has the energy of a whole Rotary club all by himself.  Assistant Governor Russ Bertrand made this point further when, on behalf of District Governor Bill Vangel, he presented Bill with the District 7950 New Generations Award. 

Russ Bertrand presents the District’s New Generations Award, and Paul Harris pin, to Bill TenEyck  

-Bonnie Sauer, ‘the most organized person I know,’ who seamlessly helped drive to the club to double successes in the 2011 Citrus Drive and the Feinstein Hunger Challenge. 

-Betsy DePrimo, who, while busily chairing the Rotary Installation committee, was preparing to relocate with husband John to New Mexico.  Betsy, we’re all sad to see you go…and we hope you will be back in town for the 50^th Club Anniversary Gala in 2013.

(Thank you Betsy, for tonight's event, and, your years of service above self!)

-Richard Waterman, for his tireless annual efforts on Phonebook committee, as well as his wisdom throughout the year as a past president of the club. 

-Pat Lenihan, who pulled off a fantastic Taste of the Town evening at St. Francis’ parish center, despite all of the significant obstacles first presented her months ago.  Pat now moves on to her next major assignment—chairing the 50^th Club Anniversary Gala next year.   

-Ed Neff, another ‘unsung hero’ to Mike, who ‘helped show me how to effectively run this club.’

-Lou Lepry, ‘an educator by example,’ who, with his family along for the ride, pulled off an amazing Rotary After Dark fundraiser at the East Greenwich Library. 

-Judy Pratt, who is so inspirational and uplifting to all, and is quite simply ‘a superstar, a Michael Jordan’ in everything she does for the club.    

Finally, Mike thanked each and every member of the club for his or her role in making the 2011-2012 Rotary year so incredibly successful.  ‘You are all like superheroes, ready for the next mission in changing and saving lives in the world.'

Betsy DePrimo presenting Mike Gemma with his past president's pin and gavel plaque.

SWEARING IN OF CLUB OFFICERS

Russ Bertrand first administered the oath to club officers for the 2012-2013 Rotary year.

-President-Elect, Jodi Gladstone

-Treasurer, Ed Neff

-Assistant Treasurer, Bob Petrucelli

-Sergeant-at-Arms, Jim Essex

-Immediate Past President, Mike Gemma

Avenue of Service Directors: Chuck Sauer, Community Service; Bob Miller, Club Service; Jane Boynton, International Service; Bill TenEyck, New Generations; Sally Russell, Vocational Service.

Directors at Large: Pat Lenihan, Bonnie Sauer, George Cooper

Russ then swore in Ken Colaluca as club president for the 2012-2013 Rotary year.  Ken’s official term commences on July 1^st.

Russ Bertrand delivering and Ken Colaluca accepting the oath of office.   

John Wolcott delivering to Ken Colaluca presidential necessities--his new badge, pin, and gavel.  

INCOMING PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Ken Colaluca congratulated Mike Gemma on his extraordinary stewardship through the past year of our club’s successes and ventures into new frontiers.    

He also humbly gave a special thanks to George Popella for introducing and sponsoring him into Rotary twelve years ago. 

Ken noted the tremendous ability of people to achieve great things through perseverance, even sometimes in the face of difficulties. 

And with sincere thanks to the whole club, Ken emphatically stated, ‘We will have another great year.’

Finally, Ken closed the ceremony with a colorful bouquet of flowers to his wife, and our new ‘first lady,’ Joyce Colaluca.

Incoming President Ken Colaluca with wife Joyce. 

Incoming President Ken with founding member Gil Thorpe. 

Here's to a great Rotary year ahead! 

*Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers go out to President-Elect Ken Colaluca, and his family, for the loss of Ken’s mom, Regina Colaluca, on June 21^st.  http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/providence/obituary.aspx?n=regina-colaluca&pid=158174547