A few of my thoughts on the past Rotary year:
My first year as club president has been a year. I started this role a little over a year ago scared to death I was going to fail all of you. I had big shoes to fill - the passion of Chris Amos, the steadfastness of Tim (for 2 years and through the pandemic), the energy of Candy - and they all had a vision and a confidence I never had. I was worried that our little club that has been here for 100+ years would falter under my leadership.
But we go through the year, and I learned. A lot. Mostly, I learned that the confidence and success a club president shows isn't found in any one thing he or she says or does or plans. It is in the faith they have in the power and abilities of their club - the members. The dedication, perseverance, hard work and support of each of YOU make a president look good. And, God knows, I needed all of that, and all of you, this year. It has been my honor to have gotten to know each of you a little (and - in some cases- a lot) better this year.
- seven service projects towards which we volunteered a total of 61.5 hours.
- eight community events, which were neither fundraisers or service projects.
- six social events (because we are the best group to party with!)
- and two events that benefited our club in other ways.
We gained one new member, but lost 8 members. We met 14 of our 18 Rotary Citation goals, which means we'll receive the Citation award at District Conference. We donated $502 to PolioPlus and $2,904 to the Rotary Foundation. We collected 275,602 cans for redemption ($13,780.10).
We held discussions and we held hands. We laughed and (some of us) cried. We joked and we had some serious discussions. We ate pie! In many ways, we grew as a club, and, in other ways, we did not grow the way we expected. Through it all, we learned. We learned what it means to ask for help. We learned what it means to help others. We learned how to work together toward a common goal. We learned how to offer (and receive) support as club members.
And by we, I mean me. And I can't wait to do it all again this year with you. Thank you for being the premier club in Red Oak and the BEST Rotary Club I know!