HALFTIME
AN INTERIM REPORT ON
OUR ROTARY YEAR
By Greg Lynch, President, NY6
Back in July, I made some undertakings to you as we began our Rotary year
together. So, just before we break for
the Holidays, I’d like to take a look at what I promised:
“This year, I pledge keep our affairs in order and our accounts in the
black”. Well, we are
running a surplus. We made several
thousand dollars on Evening of Harmony.
We can all thank new member Tom McConnon, now assisted by new member
Denise Scotto for running a successful weekly raffle. Those funds are being used to cover our
special activities and outreach. Our
membership books are closed on this period, keeping our affairs in order,
retaining 95% of existing members and welcoming new members. Public
order is kept by Sergeant-at-Arms David Zeller.
“We will continue to build
membership and to keep the club relevant”.
Honestly, I wish we could have done better at attracting new
members. I know that Membership Chair
Peter Brizard and his team are working very hard. Starting in January, I will seek action to
make a bigger push to attract new blood and to accelerate our confirmation
procedures. All of us need to look among
our friends and associates for candidates for Club membership. Let’s do what my sponsor, member Gamal Badr,
did. Just invite someone to join the
Club.
“We will continue the exceptional weekly speakers program”. Thanks to member Larry Parks,
our speakers program is top notch. Some
of our outstanding programs have been tapped and are being aired on pubic
access television. In the New Year, we
will continue our excellent programs, as well as celebrating several national
days. Look for Sweden Day in January,
with member Eric Enroth as our speaker.
By the way, I personally enjoy an occasion fellowship day when we can
share more time with one another.
“We will provide members with
dynamic service opportunities”. We
have been following through on the theme of Supporting
Our Troops at Home and Abroad. So far, we have formed an ad hoc committee to carry through on
this initiative with members Lou Di Paolo, Scarlet Pildes, Clarence Plummer and
Jim Thompson. Member David Wankoff kept us very busy serving a Thanksgiving
dinner to homeless veterans. Through the
generosity of many, many members and of our Foundation, headed by member Mort
Eydenberg, we put together and sent out 120 Holiday packages, crammed with
goodies for the troops of the 358th Brigade serving in
“We will build corporate partnerships corporate membership and community
alliances”. Members
like Giorgio Balestrieri and Sonny Lee are giving major support to this effort. We have some fine new corporate members and
are expecting more. Still, there is much
to do in the months ahead. Any
suggestions?
“The four way test will – more than ever – become our compass for action”. Many members tell me they like the recitation of the 4-way Test at the
end of each meeting. In the spring, we
hope to have an essay contest in high schools on the 4-way test. New members Don Everett and the vocational
committee are going to head this one up.
“We will remember Paul Harris and revitalize the fellowship that bears
his name”. Members
Jim Morita and Camilo Uy are co-chairing the Paul Harris Fellowship
Committee. Matts Ingemanson gave us a
great presentation on Rotary’s founder.
We are aiming for 100% Paul Harris Fellow participation this year. Stay tuned.
“We will recognize club members who make special contributions to our
successes”. Well, we have instituted Rotarian of the Month
Awards, given Paul Harris awards to members Ed Gray and Helen Reisler and
provided other recognitions. Really,
every member who participates in the good works of our Club deserves an
award. We are a volunteer organization
and we are all trying so hard to make a difference!
“Our Public Relations and Internet Communications will reach new heights”. We have a great web site. We are doing Rotary awareness outreach on TV
and with community business people. Member Ted Andrews has us lined up for a TV
spot in January. I really hope we can undertake
many more initiatives in the months to come.
“I promise opportunities to
share, to laugh and to have fun”.
Let me point to our hugely successful new members’ dinner, hosted by
Silvio Amori, in September. In October,
we had glitter and champagne at the sold-out Evening of Harmony with an
outstanding silent auction organized by Tim O’Brien. Service projects in November and December
have really been fun. Thanks to members David Del Monte, Lillian Coury and
company our Rotary after Hours is still a great opportunity for informality and
a bit of networking. Our monthly International Breakfasts always
attract a crowd, as we have lively discussions with top speakers and feast on a
gourmet buffet in the penthouse of the German Mission to the UN. For that, we thank members Alison Alessi,
Barney Barnet and Joe Klee. And of
course, our many new members act as Club Greeters at lunch always make us feel
welcome and always make me smile.
We thank Executive Director Andreas Runggatscher for his efficiency and
panache. He is a pleasure to work with,
as is Ana Rivas. Thanks to all our Officers
and Board of Directors. They really care about our Club and are a great human
resource for today and tomorrow. Finally,
thanks to all of our members, yes, to you.
Our Club is and must be about the membership. Your enthusiasm for our Club programs is
infectious. Your suggestions and
constructive criticisms are always welcome.
Best wishes for a joyous holiday season.
I look forward to many more important moments with all of you in the New
Year. Enjoy!
December 9, 2003
Postscript:
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy
Evening
By Robert Frost
Whose woods are these I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask is there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.