June 17, 2021 President’s Night Notes
President Bill Solms began the festivities at 6:45 pm. Dennis Gellhaus stepped up to do the invocation. Bill Solms led the Pledge of Allegiance. Bill then announced our very special guests who were with us: Esther Cenac, Ann Dinsmoor, Audrey TeSellle, and Verlene Thorpe. Beth Weisberg was present with us throughout the night thanks to a Zoom feed. Guest Introductions were encouraged at each of the tables including spouses and partners of our members in attendance.
At this time outgoing President Bill Solms reminded us of the year we have just come through. He expressed sincere gratitude to all as he led the ‘new’ way of meetings via Zoom, the challenges that were met with our fundraising and the giving of our club through the scholarships, the community funds for COVID relief and the international projects. For Bill, he had double duty as the Big Duck and he was grateful to so many people in supporting him and all the elements of completing a duck race in the Lazy River with the most ducks ever in the race. (Over $118,000 was raised for nonprofits in Estes Park via this virtual race).
Award Presentations were next:
Jennifer Comstock presented the Spirit award to our Zoom attendee, Beth Weisberg, who has invigorated our Community Service efforts
Karen Thompson presented the Distinguished Service award to Bill Solms for his double-duty efforts and leadership as President and Big Duck. She also presented a Rotary paper weight coming from a dear past member of our club, Jack Endicott.
Rita DuChateau presented our trifecta of Rotarian of the Year winners. They are: Karen Thompson for successfully leading our fundraising, particularly the creation and implementation of the EP Friendship Card; Scott Thompson for continually serving in so many ways including facilitating our many Zoom meetings, always willing to step in on any task, and co-hosting the on-line Duck Race show; and Wayne Newsom, 41 years with our club, serving today the needs of our weekly meetings with scheduling invocations, the Duck Race recorder and in many of our yearly activities.
Scott, Wayne, Karen and Pat
Anne Slack presented the Living Legacy (stepping in for last year’s winner Jack Overly) to Pete Sumey, the past President who led the club during the aftermath of the 2013 floods, and is a constant mentor/leader to our Presidents, keeping us consistent with our bylaws.
Thanking our past and incoming Foundation Board members by Madison Casey;
The dollar amounts of our Foundation 2021 giving was summarized and the members who led that effort this year thanked for their service,
The incoming Board for the Foundation was announced as: Tara Moenning, Anne Slack, Tom Gardner, Gregg Jurgens, Carl Robicheaux, Bill Solms and Brad Rosenbaum.:
Board Transition announcements Bill Solms:
Incoming Board: President James Whiteneck, President Elect Denis Gellhaus, Treasurer Longley Parker, Secretary Jennifer Comstock, Sergeant-at-Arms TBD, Past President Rotary Foundation Bill Solms, Club Administration Director Karol Rinehart, Community Service Director Beth Weisberg, Fund Development Co-Directors Tara and Phil Moenning, International Service Director Ron Gordon Youth/New Generation Services Director Rick Taylor, Membership Director Anne Slack.
Special Recognition: Jim Whiteneck expressed the appreciation of the club for Rita’s years of publicity, promotion, updating of Club Runner and the website for our club. She will be missed, but the quiet and constant dedication is remarkable and a bouquet was presented with thanks from all of us.
Special Recognition: Karol Rinehart for her quiet and constant work in gluing so many of the loose ends together, agenda, timing, arrangements that make our club work. She is special and of course thanked tonight for the arrangements and coordination of this President’s night.
Outgoing Remarks of Bill Solms: With deeply personal and heartfelt words of thanks for the opportunity of serving as president, recognition of Paul Harris fellows and a tribute to Rotarians of the past, Bill drew us together as Rotarians with his remarks. The baton and President’s pin was presented to incoming President Jim Whiteneck.
Incoming Remarks of Jim Whiteneck: Jim presented to Bill the past-president pin, thanked Bill for his service and with his sincere style reminded us of his appreciation for the members of this club and looks forward to the year ahead for continued growth and success of our club.
Adjournment: with the Four Way Test and first bell of his presidency was rung by Jim Whiteneck.
Dale Bonza, scribe
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