Greetings Rotary Passport Club Member!

 

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS (and the holidays in general) – December is a month of celebrations; from the Jewish celebration of Hanukah to the non-religious  African-American celebration of Kwanzaa to the Buddhists celebration of Bodhi Day, to the Atheist celebration of the Winter Solstice.   December marks a time where we look back on the year that was and remember our struggles and triumphs, while looking forward to a new year and the prospects of continued success, redemption, and renewal.

 

Looking back, 2015 will always be a special year for me in Rotary.  It was the year when 20 brave souls made the commitment to join a new and untested form of Rotary club called the Rotary Passport Club, having only the words of its organizer and first president to cling to for prospective success.  Since that original commitment, another 50 have signed on to make the Passport Club one of the strongest in terms of membership in all of District 5180. 

 

Personally, I will never forget the support and encouragement of current District Governor, Glenn Fong, current District Membership Chair, Ray Ward, and Past District Governor, Barry Kalar; for without them, the club would surely not have been chartered.

 

In addition, I want to extend a very warm thank you to my board – Bill and Ann Wittich, Megan Boespflug, Deanne Baquera, Joanne Tanner, Leigh-Ann Reinero, and Katie Wohlman.  Organizations, such as a Rotary club, are not autocracies.  They depend on a collective group of visionary and dedicated leaders to perpetuate the club’s mission.  These members exemplify the best of what Rotarians aspire to be.

 

At this time, it is with great pride and excitement that I announce the President-Elect (President for Rotary Year 2016-2017) – Mr. Dwight Chambers, and the President-Elect Designate (President for Rotary Year 2017-2018) – Ms. Joanne Tanner.  Dwight just became an official member of the Passport Club today, but has been a tremendous supporter throughout 2015 and is a gifted leader.  Joanne has not only served as the club’s Service Director, helping us make good on our promise to members regarding service opportunities, but she has even chaired a service project herself, rallying District 5180 dentists to provide free dental care to Rotary Youth Exchange students.  We truly have two superstars on deck to continue leading this organization.

 

I wish you the happiest of holidays with the ones you love; friends and family alike.  Thank you for supporting Rotary and for making the world a better place.

 

Yours in Rotary,

 

President Mike