On June 24, 2009, the outgoing president of the Savannah West Rotary Club, Pam Parker, gave the following address to the membership. The occasion was the Annual Junking Party, an opportunity for the membership to thank the outgoing officers and welcome the new.
Pam Parker's remarks give a wonderful inside look at what this club represents and how it addresses its commitment to the Rotary motto: "Service above self."
Later that evening, Pam Parker was surprised by becoming the recipient of the club's prestigious annual award: "Rotarian of the Year"
The following is the text of her speech:
Hello everyone! I am so glad to see you all. Well, here we are again, tonight rounding out the 43rd year of Rotary West. I can't believe a year has passed since I was sworn in as president – but then, no – actually the gavel was never officially passed; I was never sworn in, neither was my board, or our officers. So what an interesting legacy for our 43rd year – the first illegitimate, unofficial president and board of Rotary West. But who stands on ceremony? We certainly didn't and we quickly kicked off the 2008-2009 year.
As I stood before you last June, I shared with you my thoughts as I envisioned the upcoming year. “I see lots of fellowship, great opportunities to learn more about Rotary, hard work, and making a difference in our community and the world as we focus on the year of the child.” Rotary International President DK Lee called on us to foster the health and welfare of our next generation. I stated “I feel confident that this time next year we will be celebrating our successes in “Making Dreams Real” because of you – my dear friends in Rotary.”
As you know, I embraced the theme “Make Dreams Real.” I am fortunate to have a wonderful child in my life – my nephew Jed, and realize how important his developmental years are as we look to him and all of our children worldwide. They are our future and we Rotarians can help by choosing service projects to take care of our youngest generation.
And tonight we are celebrating! Rotary West did indeed “Make Dreams Real.” We helped provide clean water to the children along the Ivory Coast in Africa by eradicating parasitic worms. We had many literacy projects: Back to School Supplies for the students of Mercer Middle School; Monetary donation to the First Foundation; Secured a grant and a monetary donation to purchase books for the children of Wesley Community Center; Monetary donation to the Guatemala Literacy project; Hosted our annual Groves Scholar Day; Sponsored a high school student to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy. Nutrition: We provided holiday meals to the children and families of the Housing Authority; and our latest project – Second Harvest Food Bank – filling 1,500 grocery bags of food. A special thanks to Wick Searcy, George Word, Dennis Leadbetter, Barbara Martens, Sun Breza, John Howard, Linda Griffin and Osman Bholat for giving up their Saturday morning to perform physically challenging work in an un-air conditioned warehouse on the hottest day of the year.
And we even addressed some non-essential needs of our children. We brought joy and happiness by donating toys for the Toys for Tots campaign, and our Christmas gifts to the children of the Housing Authority, together with our bell ringing for the Salvation Army.
Yes, my dear friends in Rotary, we did make a difference. We successfully addressed childhood problems relating to health, hunger, water, and literacy allowing children the chance to grow up and have dreams of their own. Thank you!
Other highlights of the year for me were:
Visiting Rotarians – We had visitors from Australia, Portugal, Germany, and France, among others. These visitors again reinforced for me that we are a part of the world’s largest service organization – how powerful is that!
Golf Tournament – What a fabulous event! This was a wonderfully collaborative effort by all of us resulting in a great day for Rotary West and our guests on the golf course. We pocketed $6,820.46!
Our GRSP Student – Sophie Mancini from Scotland
43rd Anniversary Party – It was so much fun to meet the past presidents and learn more about the history and good works of our club.
It was a great year for Rotary West because of you. The president’s job is the easy one. You made it all happen – from the day to day behind the scene operations, to the weekly meetings with interesting speakers, to the wonderful fellowship events all culminating in our service projects doing what Rotarians do – “Service Above Self.”
I would like to recognize and express my appreciation for all the hard work, support, and guidance of this year’s officers, directors, and committee chairs:
Brad Lucas – President Elect and our first ever Club Administration Committee Chair. Thank you for traveling with me to our conferences giving up your weekends for Rotary. Also, you were my guinea pig as I changed our structure slightly into committees. I hope the Club Administration role was beneficial in helping you prepare for your term. I look forward to working with you.
Next, there are 2 gentlemen who I really don’t think the club could exist without; both have served many presidents and keep the club going behind the scenes:
John Howard – Our Treasurer who does an impeccable job keeping up with our finances. You know the commercial – You’re in good hands with Allstate. Well, Rotary West is in good hands with John Howard. He was always 2 steps ahead of me, and if I ever needed anything he readily and happily accommodated me. John’s motto is “you never say no to your president,” and he didn’t. What an honor to work with you John.
George Word, my buddy – too, has significant responsibility as club Secretary and is why Rotary West remains in good standing with Rotary International. We need and want George as our COO, Chief Operating Officer. One of his hardest jobs was humoring me each week at the head table. We were a good team, and we attempted to solve the country’s political and economic issues all the while sharing dog stories about our beloved pets.
And I’d like to recognize one of the finest gentlemen I know, former Assistant Secretary, Dean Klahr, who served Rotary West this past year.
Does this remind you of anyone? How about our Sergeant at Arms Carlton Hodges? Thanks for a great year of trivia with, I think, Peter and Sonny foiling your best efforts at times. We had fun. You challenged us, and at times you were ruthless. We had a great year for fine income. Also, Carlton – you serve Rotary West in so many ways! Thanks for all you do.
Our directors – these folks are just all around – from one end to the other – good, solid Rotarians!
Barbara Martens – has been an active board member and was a great source of knowledge as we ran the club this year. Rotary West is so well represented by her in her role as GRSP Trustee where she works tirelessly. Also, she and Scott know how to throw a party. The Christmas party is a highlight of our year; it is always lovely and lots of fun.
Wick Searcy – you are a strong force behind Rotary West serving on our board. Your calm and easy manner keeps us focused and you always have our best interest top of mind. Thank you Wick for honoring me with a Paul Harris Fellow. I am grateful and humbled by this recognition.
Carol Lawson – I don’t even know quite where to begin…Whether you enjoyed my year as president or not – you can thank Carol. The membership queen – as in her way that we all know and love – told me in 2003 that I was joining Rotary – no ifs, ands or buts – and what a terrific 6 years I have had with Rotary West. Carol, I see you as one of the underpins of our club – strong and dependable with Rotary West always on the top of your priority list.
Clate Ralston – personification of Rotary West. He is responsible for this year’s fund raiser – from concept to sponsorship. I have dubbed him our man of the cloth. I could always count on him to lead us in the invocation, pledge, and 4 way test. And of course, oysters anyone? He and Belle have opened their home to us for many years hosting our much anticipated annual oyster roast. For these reasons and many others, Clate Ralston has been named as Rotarian of the Year. I look forward to sharing this honor with him at our next meeting.
Committee Chairs:
Under Club Administration falls: Programs – Debbie Hughes and Will Black. I shared with Debbie early on that I thought programs could make or break a president’s year. Well, I hope you enjoyed our programs as much as I did. She and Will did an awesome job coming up with a wide variety of speakers and topics while staying true to our theme with programs focused on “Making Dreams Real.”
Website – Jamie Hamrick. Thanks Jamie for keeping our website current in this hi-tech age. Also, thank you for the weekly meeting reminders. Jamie is a good counter balance for me. He always brought some humor in his emails offsetting my rather reserved businesslike approach.
Fundraising – Dave Legesse – What a job again this year Dave – from start to the 19th hole thanks for making the golf tournament a reality – a lucrative, enjoyable Rotary West event.
Service Projects: 1)Vocational – Karen Logue – Thank you for another year of service to Rotary West in this capacity. 2)International – Ellen Whitford – With Ellen’s help we funded 2 international projects this year. Thank you Ellen for volunteering for this role when you really didn’t know what you were signing up for.
Public Relations – Sonny Hambrick – Sonny thanks for alerting the media to showcase Rotary West and our projects. I was very pleased by the amount of publicity we received this year thanks to your help.
Rotary Foundation – Dennis Leadbetter – continuing in this role since 1992. Thank you for helping Rotary West keep the Rotary Foundation top of mind. This year’s support of the Rotary Foundation was outstanding at over $7M far exceeding our goal.
A couple of other folks I would like to recognize:
Steve Salter – our official photographer. Thanks Steve for regularly coming to the meetings and documenting my year in pictures. But we need to talk, some of those candid shots – well not my best side – and do you think we can do a little touching up?
Dick Wallace – Thank you and Susan for being our GRSP student host family and taking such good care of Sophie while she was away from home.
And last but not least – David Bradley – for your creative genius and entertainment you bring to us year after year. Your work is the highlight of this event.
Last Friday night I dreamed I was in my Tahoe with David Bradley and Jamie Hamrick driving in Windsor Forest away from downtown and absolutely panicked that I would be late for this event, and even further distressed that I did not have my notes so then I would not be able to adequately share my thoughts with you.
I have no idea what all that was about, but I did make it and I did not forget my notes and I want to let you know how grateful I am to have shared this past year with you. It has truly been one of the best experiences in my life.
I have served in various capacities in numerous organizations over the past 25 years, but never have I felt such warmth, kindness, and support as we worked as a team to achieve our goals. I looked forward to Rotary every week. There was a bright spot in my day each Wednesday.
I am proud to be a member of Rotary West and to be associated with such a fine group of folks. I leave this position a better person for it. Thank you all for a great year, and for helping me become a better Rotarian.
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