HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 2009-2010

RI Theme: The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands

Following the RI theme, the Future of the Rotary Club of Galveston was in the perfect hands of President Neil Nathan. With the crystal-clear vision of a Lalique collector and financial advisor, he safely guided the club though its first year of recovery after Hurricane Ike and, as the following highlights will show, the 97th year of our existence became another successful year of Rotary service. In a footnote to his “Presidential Message” at the beginning of his year President Neil added “…. and let’s have a good time”. We indeed had a good time; in fact, the more we participated in Rotary service and social activities at club and District levels, the greater was the good time we had. The historian wished he could remember all the humorous and witty remarks President Neil gave at almost every meeting; they would have been a perfect beginning for a collection of “As the President was saying ….” (to slightly modify the title of a book of the legendary Past RI President Cliff Dochterman that – in an entertaining and humorous way – explains what Rotary is all about and why we are Rotarians).

During his Rotary year, President Neil received significant help from six Officers, 10 Directors, and 39 Club Committees. Ulli Budelmann again was Assistant District Governor for the Galveston Rotary Club (and Galveston Island, Friendswood, and Mainland Rotary Clubs). To no surprise, President Neil’s successful leadership earned him the club’s 17th consecutive “Rotary International Presidential Citation Award for Balanced Club Achievement”.

As of July 1, 2010, our club had 132 members; this is 3 members less than at the beginning of the Rotary year (July 1, 2009). The club welcomed ten new members: Gerrik Addison, Marie Garrett (re-instated), David Green, Juliann Karenko, Craig Marston, Eliza Quigley, Roy Quintanilla (re-instated), Rebecca Saavedra, Kim Sullivan, and Meg Winchester. On the other hand, for different reasons, 12 members resigned from the club: Susan Baker, Bill Buffum, Buzz Elton, Bobby Enriquez, Donna Foley, Henry Freudenburg, Past-President Kirk Jackson, Kelli Kennington, Jim McCurdy, Carlos Peña, Arnold Proctor, and Elise Worthen. Sadly, Richard Squier died, as did three of our former members: Charles Brown, William Crawmer, and Dunc Conley.

Following a long club tradition, the President-Nominee, Jake Walsdorf, organized the weekly programs. The speakers on a variety of topics included: Terrell Blodgett, Alicia Cahill & Pete Smith, Patricia Crane & Sandra Peterson, David Dearman, John Delaney, State Representative Craig Eiland, Jeffrey Engel, James Evans & Johnston Ferro, David Garner, Jim Gentil, former Club member Ted Hanley, Jeff Heyse, Alexandra Irvine & Clint Wilhour, Richard Jennings, Cheryl Johnson, Harris "Shrub" Kempner, Harish Krishnarao, John Machol, Betty Massey, William Mileski, Yvonne Moore & Gabe Powell, Sheila Ott, Bill Pope, Dale Robertson, Mary Ann Salch & Katrina Leonard, Mort Voller, Terri Ward, Michael Warren, Heather Wooten, and County Judge Jim Yarbrough. Other speaker were our own John Smecca, Maureen Patton, and Dan Freeman. Since this membership roster goes to print very early in June, "scheduled" to speak at the meetings in June are Avi Markovitz, Rihannon Meyers, Jan Porter, and former Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas. Of course, at the last meeting on June 30, President Neil will sing his "swan song" and highlight the accomplishments of the club's 97th year of service.

The program at the July 15 meeting featured three of our own members, giving classification talks: Dan Freeman, Vikki Carpenter, and Barrett Ingram. We certainly look forward to more such interesting talks in the upcoming Rotary year.

We enjoyed a number of very special programs. Of course, the year started with the installation of President Neil and his Officers and Directors on July 1. Past District Governor Marcus Juneman from the Texas City Rotary Club presided over the installation. On August 16, District Governor Fred Sandberg visited our club, accompanied by his Chief of Staff Winona Moore.

On September 23, the club recognized four of Galveston's most prominent BOIs with honorary Paul Harris Fellowships: Harris "Shrub" Kempner Jr., George Mitchell, Robert Moody Sr., and Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas. They were recognized for their long-standing philanthropic commitment to the quality of life on Galveston Island; believe it or not, all four honorees were present at the meeting. For several years now, on December 2, we enjoyed the impressive and very British voice of Kenny Podmore, a Rotarian from Vancouver dressed in the historical outfit of a town-crier; he invited us - on behalf of her Majesty, the Queen - to attend "Dickens on the Strand". More...Click Here