President Lori's Goals for Her Term

 
 
It is with great enthusiasm that I embark upon my year as President of the Rotary Club of Cheyenne.  We have a rich history of service both in Cheyenne and across the world.  Incoming Rotary International President, John Germ’s motto for this year is “Rotary Serving Humanity.”   Of course there are many ways in which we as Rotarians can and do serve.   With so many competing priorities for our time, our treasure and our talents,  I ask myself, how can I guide our club to Serve Humanity?
 
At the Rotary International convention in Seoul, we heard a spiritualist speak – Mahatria Ra asked us to think about what we can give instead of what we can receive.  Specifically one thing he said resonated with me and that was :
 
“Putting days into life is aging,
Putting life into days is growing”
 
What opportunities do we have to make sure our lives and our Rotary Club are growing? 
 
As the International convention concluded, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride at being a small part of this big organization.  We as Rotarians have many things to be proud of, specifically, I would like to share the following:
 
(As a side note, I’m a banker so of course I like the numbers and I share them with you only as a means to express all of the good Rotary has done and will do in the world.  )
 
  • As a part of the bigger organization that is Rotary we have accomplished the following:
    • Charity Navigator has given the Rotary Foundation 4 out of 4 Stars
    • Rotary International Foundation was also ranked #5 in “Top 10 Charities changing the World in 2015”
    • $3 billion dollars has been spent on projects in the first 100 years of the Rotary InternationalFoundation – and the assets of the Foundation are $1 billion
    • In 1975 the Foundation raised $8.4 million – last year $269 million
    • As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the InternationalFoundation - the goal for this year is $300 million
  • Rotary’s promise is a Polio Free World and we will reach that goal – although we acknowledge that the final stage of this battle will be the toughest.Rotary will not give up.Talk about Proud – think about how you will feel the day the world is declared Polio Free.
 
  • Locally we have many things to be proud of:
    • We have a growing local foundation – Bob Womack stood before us nine years ago and issued a challenge to all of us – that was to grow our local foundation to $1 million before we celebrate our 100 year anniversary in November 2018.With a lot of hard work from humble beginnings we are nearly ½ way there.
    • Our foundation has begun to fund local projects, including a grant last year to the Laramie County Library System.
    • We promote peace through understanding in our year after year commitment to sponsor both inbound and outbound exchange students
    • We have just finished up a water project in Tanzania.
    • We provide a dictionary to 1,350 3rd graders – for some of these children it is the only book they’ve ever owned.
    • We sponsor two Rotaract and two Interact Clubs
    • We have recently received approval for a District Grant to fund the signage at the new Friendship Playground.
 
As much fun as it is to celebrate and acknowledge our success, like any good organization we also need to set goals for the future and assess what we can do better.  With that in mind I would offer the following goals for this year:
 
  • Start an Interact Club at South High.
  • Make interaction with the Rotaract Clubs a focus.There is a shocking statistic in regards to Rotary and Rotaract clubs – only 5% of Rotaractors become Rotarians.In North America, Rotary acknowledges the challenge to grow our membership – and yet those who should become Rotarians are making other choices.
  • I would like to provide additional opportunities for social events outside of our regular club meetings and events via the REDS committee.
  • Likewise, hands on service projects allow us to serve side by side and engage the other Cheyenne Rotary clubs and Rotaract/Interact Clubs in meaningful work.
  • With the 100 year anniversary of the Rotary International Foundation, each club has been challenged to raise $2,650 for Polio Plus as a way to honor the first donation of $26.50 to the foundation 100 years ago.
  • In addition to the district grant we are also eligible to apply for a 2 to 1 match “Centennial Grant” where $500 from our club will be matched by $1,000 from the district.We will partner with the other clubs for this grant which will also have a ‘hands on’ service component.
  • Work with our local foundation to ensure the success of the raffle and other fundraisers.
  • Finally, a more deliberate and focused effort in growing membership.With the formation of a membership committee which Immediate Past President Chad Craig has agreed to chair.
 
In closing I would like to extend a special thank you to the Past President’s for putting their trust and faith in me to lead this organization for the next year.  I would also like to thank all of you for things you do, big and small that make our club great – we would never succeed without you.  I look forward to serving with you this next year. 
 
 
 
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