Tuesday, July 7, 2009

DANIEL WHERRY
President, 2009-2010

It’s a new Rotary year! Rotary International President John Kenny of Scotland has selected the theme The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands. In his letter in the July issue of THE ROTARIAN, President Kenny asks Rotarians to continue to work for the health and well-being of not only children but their families and people everywhere. He goes on to state that Rotarians can and must accept their responsibility and that our clubs are only as great as the members within them.

And so, we havd new opportunities in Lincoln Rotary Club #14. Join us on Tuesday, July 7 as 2009-2010 President Dan Wherry introduces the new Leadership Team and outlines the goals and objectives of Lincoln Rotary Club #14 for the upcoming year.

See you on Tuesday! New membership directories will be distributed.

Last Week

We celebrated, yes we did! There was a parade to the podium to recognize a great year for Rotary 14. During the 2008-2009 Rotary year, there were some impressive things that happened. The list, which continues on the next page, includes nearly a quarter of a million dollars raised for our work in Lincoln, across Nebraska, in the Dominican Republic, and other parts of the world. We were encouraged by presentations by 10 outstanding high school students from across Lincoln, and educated and entertained by more than 40 speakers at programs during our meetings. We hosted a picnic for 120 international students, dressed and ate like the French for our auction, passed out 3,000 dictionaries, and recognized Runza as an outstanding local business. As President Cathy Lang swung the gavel for the final time, she shared that she’s most pleased with our international presence. We learned a lot about Taiwan, an island country half the size of Nebraska with nearly 23 Million people, by hosting an exchange group and sending one. We donated more than $100 per member to The Rotary International Foundation. We helped provide school lunch for children in the Dominican Republic. Our efforts helped gain a matching grant to provide medical equipment for Clinica Esperanza in the Dominican Republic. Through it all we grew in membership by adding 27 new people to the Rotary 14 roll, and we hosted an impressive 221 guests during the year. Oh, one more thing, there’s a new Admiral in the Great Navy of Nebraska. Be sure to salute Mary when you show up for the July 7 meeting. Ahoy mates. Have a good 4th of July. Here is a link to the photos Mailani Veney took, no Facebook account needed, at the Awards Luncheon: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103532&id=503007395&l=58b375c20e

We presented the Miller Math Award to Susan Katt, Elementary Math Coordinator for LPS; the Club #14 High School Scholarship to Grace Farley, who is planning to attend UNL; Club #14 Service Fund Grants to Friendship Home, Bright Lights, Child Advocacy Center, Houses of Hope, Voices of Hope, and the Lincoln Community Playhouse; and several awards won by Club #14 at the District Conference.

Sandi Fabry and Michael Ryan,by Dean Settle, were recognized as new Paul Harris Fellows. New Multiple Paul Harris Fellow recognition was presented to: Dean Settle (2), Bryan Van Deun (2), Doris Cook (3), and Dan Wherry (4). The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow recognition is The Rotary International Foundation’s way of expressing its appreciation for an aggregate contribution of $1,000 to its humanitarian and educational programs.

And, the grand finale, JoAnne Kissel and Tony Messineo were named our Club #14 Rotarians of the Year.

2008-2009 President’s Message

I want to thank all Rotarians for their support of our club this past year. The success of our club rests in the hearts and hands of our Rotarians, it is with your effort that we achieve the goal of Service Above Self. It has been my honor to serve as President of our club and I will treasure this past year always. I look forward to serving with you to make President Dan’s year even more successful than this past year. — President Cath

Rotary 14 on Facebook — Got Facebook? Lots of us do and we encourage you to become a member of the Rotary #14 group. It’s a great way to connect with one another outside of our Tuesday luncheon, and besides, when you click on Mailani Veney’s Facebook page, you’ll find a photo album of shots from the June 30 meeting. Just click here to join the Rotary #14 group - http://www.facebook.com/home.php? - /group.php?gid=6367712811

FAC at Red 9 — The Fellowship Committee has locked in another Rotary Happy Hour – FAC - (Friday After work Club) at Red 9 and invites all Rotarians and their friends to join them on Friday July 24, between 5-7 p.m., for drinks (cash bar) and fellowship. Red 9 is located at 322 South 9th Street, which used to be P.O. Pears. We’ll be upstairs.

The Rotary Club of New York has Guaranteed Entries to the NYC Marathon available to Rotarians, or their families and friends as a benefit to Polio Plus, Gift of Life, and other charities. At this time, this is the ONLY way to gain entry to the 2009 NYC Marathon. Full details are available at www.nyrotary.org.