President's Corner

Posted by Bob Vanden Burgt 
on Jul 5, 2010
 
 

If my math is correct, I believe we are entering the 45th year of our club’s existence.  Although I am very excited and honored to accept my responsibility as our 44th president, it only seems appropriate to pause for a moment to consider and acknowledge many of the components that make the Rotary Club of  Madison South Rotary a truly exceptional organization.

Two years ago, we may have faced one of the most challenging years in the history our club.  Membership was declining, attendance was down, and we were left holding the bag for past member dues.    We incurred unanticipated expenditures that limited the ability to contribute to our foundation and to support the Madison South community.  Procedures had been all but forgotten, and there was barely a concept of succession planning.  Katie Bally persevered.  It would be a year for “getting back to the basics”.  With the guidance of the board, the ballast was shed.  Katie helped us focus on core values and fundamentals to set us on a path that would ultimately “right the ship”. 

Kevin took the helm and continued to build on those fundamentals by leveraging the power of our members and putting the right people in the right seats of the bus. Through his humility, whit, and just being a fun guy, Pachucki was the first guy to stand up and openly recognize his fellow Rotarians for their exceptional contributions.  2009-2010 turned out to be a banner year for our club.

  • The Brat Stand grossed  over 65K under the direction of Jay Hinkens and his sub-czars
  • The net membership gain was one of the top in the district thanks to Newman
  • The club’s RI Foundation contributions topped District 6260 in “per capita giving” thanks to the attention of Rob Gooze
  • Joe Balles and the MSR Foundation Board of Directors were able to fund 42K in grants to Madison South programs and charities
  • We saw Great programs thanks to the smiling & dialing of Jason
  • Our Asst. DG, Randy Sproule, continued to emote passion across the district for the support of Polio Plus
  • The club made great contributions to our youth by supporting RYE, an ambassadorial scholar, RYLA, and a number of local exceptional student awards & scholarships.  Thanks Dan, Katie, Glen, Pat, and the rest of the gang for your passion in this area
  • We continue to support Brain Game, St. Mary’s Bingo, Street ball,  and a number of other important local community activities due to the efforts of Jacci, Bob, Joe, and George
  • Dick Rehberg kept a constant thumb on Pachucki and the editorial crew to ensure we had a President’s Corner worth reading and timely club communications
  • We saw the beginnings of true succession planning with guys like Selene, Yesbeck, and Kent in the presidential queue.
  • The Officers and Board of Directors maintained, and often displayed, their passion to preserve the core values, bylaws, constitution, and the heritage that will ensure another 45 years of success.
  • We all had a lot of FUN  

The combination of everything above, (as well as many unmentioned), constitute the “Magic Formula” for our club.  It is with great humility that I accept responsibility for preserving the formula and supporting the members of Madison South Rotary who make it so special.