President Sandee Macht welcomed everyone to the banquet and led us in the pledge. Everyone joined in singing God Bless America. Introduction of incoming President Mike Swartz. Dinner followed.
Guests: Scholarship recipients and their parents
Happy Bucks: None collected but everyone was happy to be here.
For those of you who weren’t in attendance at our Annual Banquet you missed a great evening. I will touch on some of the highlights. President Macht looked back at her year as president and touched on the major events we did, as well as recognizing fellow Rotarians for the part they played in making it a successful year and what they’ve given back to the community. President Macht recalled her phone call from Ray Krek about needing a semi and lift truck when Steve Lewis’s building was being flooded. How the flood affected everyone and how as a community and as Rotarians we all pulled together to help in some way. That is the true spirit of Rotary. She also recognized Dr. Volk, Gary Thompson and Shirley Dempsey for their part in the Brat & Burger. Steve Lehmann for his photography skills at the Breakfast with Santa making it a very special day for the kids. She thanked Mike Swartz for given us the opportunity to sell the Character Ed Calendars as a great fundraiser and how he kept after us to make it a success.
Then the Rotary Brunch cancelled because Meadow Springs closed also leaving us without a weekly meeting place. Pat Vandenberg & Sue Johnson who stepped up and offered the Puerner Room to hold our meetings and Bon Ton was hired to cater for us. Switching gears and needing another fundraiser, Sue Johnson, Matt Tubbin, and Pat Vandenberg chaired a beer tasting event. President Macht referred to Dr. Volk as a shining star for all his work on the B&B and chairing the repairing of the benches in Rotary Park. Steve Lewis for his coordination of clean up at Rotary Park and Dr. Brad Meyers for getting our speakers each year for the Top 10 banquets.
President Macht touched on the different groups we donate to throughout the year. She also recognized and thanked Matt Tubbin his work on our website, Janet Werner for the newsletter, Jim van Lieshout for paying the bills, Pat Vandenberg for getting out weekly items out for each meeting. She thanked her Board. President Macht who we know loves Rotary then recognized her husband Josh who she drags to all the Rotary events and thanked him for allowing her to be so involved in Rotary. She then turned the podium over to incoming President Mike Swartz.
President Swartz thanked Pam Chickering-Wilson for her covering our meetings and events. Read a note from Janet Weidenhoft and family for the tree dedicated in Denis’s memory.
President Swartz then touched on a few dates, one being our club was chartered in 1935, making this our 75th year. He also put Ray in charge of parties every other week at his house and alternating weeks at the Lewis residence. Mike was just kidding!
President Swartz stated he was honored and humbled to be President of this club. The 2009-2010 Board was introduced and given their pins. He then presented outgoing President Macht with her plaque.
Scholarships recipients Hava Blair, Tirzah Blair, Lindsay Knoebel, Zachary Wellnitz were introduced along with a list of their achievements. All were given a standing ovation.
President Macht then handed out perfect attendance awards to Del Chmielewski, Shirley Dempsey, Steve Lehmann, Matt Tubbin, Mike Swartz, Pat Vandenberg, Jim van Lieshout, Dr. David Volk, and Janet Werner.
Mike Swartz did the bio for the Outstanding Non-Rotarian Achievement Award recipient Chuck Moehling. Chuck organized the Jefferson Youth Baskteball program, thus giving our youth a great opportunity to develop their skills. and remains as president of that organization. A lot of time and dedication has gone into this and Chuck is most deserving of this award.
Steve Lehmann read the bio leading up to the announcement of the Service Above Self award recipient Dr. David Volk, who has been a dedicated Rotarian and lives by the Rotary Four Way Test. Steve presented him with a plaque and stated 500 pts were given to the Rotary Foundation in his name towards a Paul Harris award. Dr. Volk stated he was very humbled and proud to receive this award.
Mary Beth Browning Selene past District President was our guest speaker. Her day hadn’t started very well but she stated Rotary always lifts her spirits. She touched on the 1.2 million professional leaders who make up Rotary and how we all play an important part in the organization. She stated the Rotary Foundation is our foundation and we should all make it a priority to contribute to it.
President Macht then spoke on the foundation and how we have benefited from it. We have 40 members and 17 of them are Paul Harris recipients, six in the last year. She then announced those being recognized tonight as first time recipients: Jeff Johnson, Jim van Lieshout, Steve Lewis, Pastor Nancy Carmichael, and Janet Werner. She then recognized Del Chmielewski for being a third time recipient and presented him with a special pin. She also stated Del will be the Assistant District Governor for 2009-2010. All Paul Harris Fellows were asked to stand.