Since the chartering of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Sunrise in 1986, the members of the club have always looked forward to the annual installation dinner and program, as it serves as a means to celebrate the past Rotary year and to recognize Rotarians for their exceptional service; and as a means to learn about the direction and vision for the new Rotary year and also to introduce the new executive and officers who will provide the necessary leadership.
During the evening program of the 2019 Annual Installation Dinner held on June 22nd, out-going 2018-19 president Maribeth Friesen shared that while she experienced the challenge of the leadership role as president, she gained personal growth, and learned about herself and Rotary. She expressed that the experience had deepened her “conviction in the importance of service above self,” and added “that it’s not enough to just live, and work and consume, with all of the bounties that I have been blessed with in life.” “I must give back and without expectation,” stressed Maribeth.
Following the formal evening presentations conducted by Maribeth, and concluding remarks where she thanked Rotary and the Rotary club for being “my inspiration, for beckoning me and for giving me all kinds of good reasons to answer the call,” Maribeth inducted in-coming 2019-20 President Susan McIntyre.
Following the brief induction, 2019-20 Rotary Year Susan McIntyre thanked all club Rotarians and stated that “I am very honoured and humbled to be elected President of the Club.” She expressed that she would do her best to serve the club and that with a strong team to provide leadership, she acknowledged that the club would work hard to follow this year’s theme.
Based on the 2019-20 Rotary International Theme, Rotary Connects the World, Susan explained that the club would commence tracking all volunteer service hours, including those volunteer hours completed outside of Rotary, in addition to tracking attendance and makeups. She added that the board had been re-organized, thus creating a model that would engage more of the members and to enable everyone to play a small role in supporting the club. She noted that this re-organization created many sub-committees to provide everyone with an opportunity to help the club grow in strength and influence.
Following the introduction of the 2019-20 Executive and Directors, presentation of pins signifying their specific roles, and photo ops, Susan stated “I feel very lucky to have this wonderful group of people to work with.”
Before bringing closure to the evening program, emceed by 2018-19 Past President Andy Griffin, Susan thanked everyone for their support, recommendations and ideas that had been shared and then reminded everyone that she would definitely be looking forward to her first official meeting on July 05, 2019.
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