Of the things we say, or do:
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
Hola!
This is my first bulletin as president of the club, and it’s both exciting and unthinkable at the same time. Why unthinkable you ask? Well, back in 2005 when I first came to this island, I thought it was temporary. I never believed I would come to call MDI home, raise my daughters here, build a house, meet wonderful people (including a few that speak my native language), and least of all be part of a Rotary club. Today, as I begin my term as President of the Bar Harbor/MDI Rotary club, I hope I can live up to the standard of excellence set by the Presidents who have come before me. We have seen that strong leadership can make our community better, help in the eradication of polio, in the mentoring of our youth, in aiding those with special needs, and can improve people’s quality of life in our community and around the world. This is the precedent that has been set and that I vow to continue.
I would one more time like to thank immediate past President Carrie Jones for the fantastic job she has done as well as her board of directors for all the help and support they gave her. Bravo Carrie for your leadership and for the great idea of the Free Little Library. We need to take back the art of reading, something quickly getting lost.
At the annual dinner, I briefly mentioned my goals for the year:
- There will be a focus on growing membership and membership retention.
- Public Image: promoting our club’s projects and sharing our story.
- Fundraiser events such as collecting pennies and the purple pinkie project to end polio, and our annual Every Rotarian Every Year giving fundraiser.
- We hope to make a greater impact this year through service and will be working to implement a service project that involves the elderly in our community, and continue with the back pack and food pantry programs.
- We are back in Panama in February 2020 for the wheelchair project making a difference in the lives of those in need.
- Youth leadership will be playing a strong role since this year we will be hosting an exchange student and continue with RYLA programs.
There’s more to come, but for now, I would like to encourage all members to find a committee you like and get engaged: participate, share input, exchange ideas, and work together to make a better community not only locally, but internationally as well.
Our next evening meeting is Wednesday, July 3rd and it will be held at the ball field by the YMCA. It will be a laid back, casual meeting which should be a fun time for all. Members of our club will be setting things up earlier that day for our big event on July 4th: the Pancake Breakfast and Seafood Festival. Everyone is invited, and please, bring a friend. We will have some yummy food from Pat’s Pizza.
On July 10th, our District Governor Suzanne Uhl-Melanson will be visiting. Suzanne joined the Waterville Rotary Club in November 1999. She served on the Board of Directors for her club 5 times and was club President in 2012/13. She later became an Assistant Governor for three years before being asked to interview for the District Governor position. Suzanne will be here to share her goals as District Governor for 2019/2020 and will talk about her district project as well. We strongly encourage all our members to attend this meeting.
Remember: Rotary brings people together from all backgrounds, political positions, and religious preferences for one common good: making the world a healthier, safer, and more peaceful place.
I hope to see you all on July 4th at the ball field. It’s that time of the year that we as Rotarians come together and apply the Rotary ideal of SERVICE ABOVE SELF.
President Susy
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