I am amazed at how fast 4 years have gone by since I first accepted the position in the Presidency line.  Taking on new responsibilities each year wasn't on the top of my list, however, Rotary has become my family and has helped me grow as a person and a leader.  If there is anything you do not agree with or any miscommunication, please let's have a conversation so we could clarify things right then and there. I've already sent out two miscommunication emails and I'm sure it won't be the last. 

 

I am honored to guide our club to new beginnings, where we can grow and strengthen our membership with meaningful projects and touch the lives of many individuals. 

 

Rotary International has a new action plan. The areas are:

 

Human nature is reluctant to change, however Rotary is looking to create consistency through the years. This is the last year that there will be a Presidential theme. The theme is The Magic of Rotary and the story to how it came about is very touching.

 

The goal is to keeping growing and have a 3-year overlap of what each President has been working on in the action plan. Stroudsburgs Rotary will be doing our best to support Rotary's Action Plan.

 

From my experience at the International Conference, and listening to the speakers and other Rotarians, I feel it's important that we try some different ideas, such as having a breakfast meeting once a month for members that cannot attend a lunch meeting due to time or distance, have more fellowships to engage in deeper conversations and have fun together outside of our structured meetings.  We want to partner with outside organizations and other Rotary clubs, so we can be part of something larger and gain more exposure. Why reinvent the wheel.

 

One of our plans is to start an organ donor awareness walk and partner with ESU or a hospital, another vision is set for Oct 24, World Polio Day, and we will offer a movie to the public on Polio and have Polio survivors speak, along with Rotarians and a health panel for Q&A at the Pocono Cinema & Cultural Center. 

 

We have approached other service organizations (Kiwanis) to have a chili/cornbread cookoff.  They are getting excited about collaborating too, and we will invite others such as Lions and Elks. Let's all welcome each other, and help each other expand our reach, get the public involved and do good in our communities and around the world.

 

To expand our membership, we are looking to form a service only club for younger individuals, however, it will be open to all ages.  The newer generation does not have the time or the patience to sit through a full formal meeting.  It will be a more relaxed environment on a night, & restaurant of their choice. Their focus will be on a service project of their choice, relating to one of the areas of focus.  Seasoned Rotarians will help guide/advise on an informal level so as not to stray too far off course. 

 

Your participation is always appreciated and any feedback on how you can help in any of these areas is welcomed. We are looking for solutions, so please feel free to share your ideas with us.

 

These are only a few things we would like to accomplish, and if it doesn't happen this year there is always next year. That is the beauty of keeping the continuity. I will do my best for all of you, our club, and all the lives we help change in our local and international communities.

 

I'm looking forward to a great year with you!!!