New year, leadership, goals
The traditional changing of the guard program for the Rotary Club of Estes Park introduced award winners and new club and foundation board members. Held at The Ridgeline Hotel on June 21, the 92-year old club celebrated the accomplishments of 2017-18 and welcomed the new Rotary year, which begins July 1.
“Every past president has been a mentor and advisor to me, and I thank them,” 2017-18 President Kathy Groesbeck said. “It has meant so much to be president, and I have loved every minute of it,” said added. She noted that year was marked with “challenges and changes” as the club grieved the deaths of seven members, conducted a search for a new weekly meeting location and hosted a Rotary district conference on Duck Race weekend.
Groesbeck recognized former club presidents in attendance that evening, including Jay Harroff, Thor Homme, Scott Thompson and Pete Sumey. Groesbeck welcomed special guests, Audrey TeSelle and Ann Dinsmoor, whose late husbands Ken TeSelle and Jack Dinsmoor, died during the past year. Additionally, she thanked District 5440 Assistant Governor Linda Vomaske for attending.
Club member Chuck Bonza presented the Distinguished Service Award to Thor Homme, whose leadership has been a model for other club members. Bonza praised Homme for “continuing to jump in wherever needed” by the club. His contributions include Duck Race Committee Chair (Big Duck), club president and foundation president. Bonza noted that whenever help is needed with community service projects, Homme is there to lend a hand. In accepting, Homme thanked his wife Darlene for her support.
Groesbeck presented The Legacy Award to Wayne Andersen, a club member for 18 years, for embodying the spirit of Rotary. She noted his leadership of the Salvation Army bell ringing campaign for several years, his great sense of humor, his weekly service as lunch ticket coordinator, his record-setting year as Big Duck in 2007 and his role as duck wrangler.
Two additional awards, the Rotarian of the Year and the Spirit Award, will be presented at upcoming meetings because the recipients were unable to attend the June 21 event.
Membership Director Scott Thompson recognized Guy Van der Werf with a sponsor pin for serving as a mentor to new member Dennis Gellhaus Guy's wife Leslie presented the pin .
.jpg)
.
Outgoing Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation President Thor Homme recognized his board and thanked them for their hard work during the 2017-18 year on the community grants program and major grants benefitting the library and a summer camp for disadvantaged children in Albania. Foundation board members include: Marsha Yelick, Gregg Jurgens, Harriette Woodard, Jack Boatman, Debbie Delaney, Dave Evans and Kathy Groesbeck. Incoming foundation board members include Dave Evans, Kathy Groesbeck, Gregg Jurgens, Harriette Woodard, Jack Boatman, Virgil Holtgrewe, Dennis Gellhaus and Madison Casey.
Groesbeck recognized her 2017-18 board members: Longley Parker, treasurer; Rita DuChateau, secretary; Bill Solms, sergeant-at-arms; Dave Evans, president-elect; Sue Fereday, Youth, New Generations director; Thor Homme, foundation liaison; Doug Mann, international service director; Karol Rinehart, club administrative director; Karen Thompson, fund development director; Scott Thompson, membership director; Roger Thorp, community service director.
As her last order of business, Groesbeck presented the leadership gavel to incoming President Dave Evans, along with a badge and pin denoting his presidency. Evans thanked her for leading the club through a difficult year with her endless energy. He further recognized Groesbeck for her efforts to build a relationship with Delaware North, parent company of The Ridgeline Hotel, which enhanced the Duck Race. Evans presented Groesbeck with a Paul Harris Fellowship in recognition of her presidency, along with a badge and pin.
Evans welcomed members of the 2018-19 club board. Rita DuChateau, Sue Fereday, Longley Parker, Karol Rinehart, Karen Thompson and Roger Thorp will remain in their current positions. New board positions include: Ron Gordon, director of international service; Kathy Groesbeck, foundation liaison; Thor Homme, sergeant at arms; Doug Mann, president-elect; and Bill Solms, membership director.
Evans pledged to devote his year to increasing club membership, fundraising efforts and capacity to meet grant requests. He said while clubs often fall into a “vicious circle” when facing challenges, he would like to turn that into “a virtuous circle” that capitalizes on the “commitment to service that is in our DNA” as Rotarians. He referred to the club’s rich history in the area of scholarships and community support through grants and the Duck Race and emphasized his commitment to maintaining programs despite declining membership.
“I think we are capable of doing even more,” he said.
.jpg)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
