South Mouth June 29 2009 Cont'd

Outgoing President Greg McDonald's Address

Well, another Rotary year has come to an end.  Where has the time gone?   It seems like yesterday June, Sandie and I were in Los Angeles experiencing Rotary in a way that is literally indescribable unless you have had the good fortune to attend a Rotary International Convention.  All three of us came away with a new appreciation for the scope and influence this organization has on the world stage.  On behalf of June and Sandie, I want to thank the club for the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles to attend the convention.

So here we are at the end of the Rotary year, the end of my year as your club president.  Last July I told you that Rotary International president D.K. Lee asked us to help "Make Dreams Real".  He asked us and all Rotarians to find ways to reduce child mortality by focusing on clean water, literacy, health and hunger projects. I stand here today to tell you that our club, the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, has answered D.K. Lee's challenge.  We have helped "Make Dreams Real".

Back in July I told you that the single most important element that has made our club successful is you, the members.  And what makes a club president successful is the quality of the board members one has the privilege of serving with.  I want to recognize and thank each of the members of my board of directors for their commitment to the club and their support of me over the past year. 

Incoming President & Membership Director - Paul Monaghan

Past President - June Manning

Club Secretary - John Teibert

Club Treasurer - Debbie Garneau

Club Administration Director - Jason Pollock

Club Community Service Projects Director - John D'Ambrosio

Club International Service Projects Director - Laetitia De Witt

Rotary Foundation Director - Sheila Bristo

Club Public Relations Director - Cathy Henry

I also want to all the members of our club who participated on the various subcommittees.

It was another busy year for our club beginning with the club picnic in July hosted by Paul & Mimi Massuet.  Next up was Ribfest in August followed by District Governor Ralph Montessanto's visit in September.  During that meeting we bestowed Paul Harris Awards on June Manning as Past President, John Teibert for his dedicated service as a Rotarian, and Rene Devertuil for humanitarian service within our community.    

In October our club submitted a theme basket to the District Conference held in Hamilton.  Members from our club enjoyed dinner and keynote speaker Bob McDonald from CBC's Quirks and Quarks.  On a social note Rotarian Ron Kozub hosted a beer making seminar which included generous samples of the finished product.

November was a particularly active month.  Paul Harris awards went to Matt Taylor for his year as president and to Eric Lefebvrefor his humanitarian work in Africa.  The Rotary Foundation dinner was held in November at Salvatore's in Buffalo with keynote speaker past RI president Frank Devlin, author of several books on Rotary.  

Rotarian Jim Howes was actively involved in organizing the Bill Ford Memorial Rotary Bonspiel with our club participating as a co-sponsor.  November also saw the second annual "Take It To Heart Gala" held at the Hilton Hotel in Niagara Falls. 

We closed 2008 with our annual Christmas luncheon in December organized by Elizabeth Spaan and Cathy Henry.  Club members generously donated socks and underwear for Community Care.