Scenes From The President's Dinner
Paul Harris Awards
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Left to Right: Kyong Wilson, Lisa Barall-Matt, Sue Budde, Hap Leapman, Eileen Rau, Chuck Joseph, Joanne Santiago
Paul Harris Fellow Recognition Awards were presented to Lisa Barall-Matt, Sue Budde and Chuck Joseph.
Mark Steier talked about Lisa's integrity and achievement, calling her an "alpha female." She is finishing her year as the Club's Immediate Past President. She has been greatly involved in the golf tournament, She organized tonight's Dinner, bringing in the biggest attendance ever for this event. She also is a part of Breakfast With Santa, The Webcam Project and Tastes of The Valley. Lisa is a top-producing realtor with Remax and is in the Remax Hall of Fame.
Salin Low reviewed Chuck's involvement in the Club and the community. She pointed out that, when Chuck bought the Canton Shop Rite five years ago, he had to overcome a lot of negative feelings about the previous owner. When snow and wind knocked out the power for a week in October 2011, Chuck kept the store open and made it a safe haven for community members seeking warmth and a cup of coffee. Chuck has donated the food for the Avon-Canton Senior Luncheon. He has donated over 100,000 meals to the community's indigent. Salin added "when good needs to be done, Chuck helps."
Joanne Santiago spoke on Sue Budde's behalf, calling Sue a "perfect service above self Rotarian." She is a board member at her church and at the Farmington Valley Visitors Association. She has been the chair of the golf tournament's Auction & Raffle Committee for the last four years, and she has done much to make the Tastes of the Valley a success. She helped start Dog Star Rescue which has quickly established itself with 350 placements since March of last year. At Dog Star, some of Sue's duties include the website, the publicity and the recruitment of volunteers.
The Paul Harris medallions were presented to Lisa, Chuck and Sue by the District 7890 dignitaries present at the dinner. (See above). Additionally, President Salin indicated that $1,000 checks will be given to the Rotary Foundation in Lisa, Chuck and Sue's names.
Major Donor Recognition
Left to Right: Mike McGovern, Rollie Sterrett, Karen Sterrett and Salin Low
The Rotary Foundation now considers Rollie Sterrett a Major Donor. Mike McGovern, Vice Chair of the Rotary Foundation, presented Rollie with a plaque and a crystal piece. He stated that Rollie's donations over the years have "really made a difference" and have "helped tremendously with the 30 year fight to wipe out polio." Rollie's advice to Club members is to "donate only to causes where you know for a fact that the money will go to do good things." Rollie is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Avon-Canton.
Presidential Citations for Service
Left to Right: Salin Low, Craig Buhrendorf, Hank Frey, Gary Hyde and Peter Vignati
President Salin said the Presidential Citations for Service are awarded to members who "consistently step up to help the Club."This year's recipients are Craig Buhrendorf, Hank Frey, Gary Hyde and Peter Vignati.
Craig is a long-standing member of the Scholarship Committee and has restarted the International Committee during the '14-'15 Rotary year. He was also involved for many years with the Youth Exchange Committee. He has expanded his role in the golf tournament.
Hank has kept the tutoring program in Hartford going for a long time. He coordinates the Club's involvement in the Salvation Army Bell Ringing every year. Salin said "Hank helps us do service."
Gary, Salin asserted, has done a "great job as the Club Treasurer for many years." Salin added that, before Gary took on the Treasurer's duties, there were times when Club officers would even lose track of the checkbook's location. Gary changed all that.
Peter has been a member of the Community Service Committee since he joined the Club, serving as Chair for several years. He is also a member of the Scholarship Committee.
Craig, Hank and Peter are all Past Presidents of the Club.
Lifetime of Service Above Self Award
Left to Right: Salin Low and Nancy Nation
This is the first time the Lifetime of Service Above Self Award has been given. It was awarded to Nancy Nation.
Nancy has been a mainstay of the golf tournament. Golf Committee Chairs have come and gone, and all have done well, but Nancy has been there year after year, making sure the tournament soars to new heights and making the tournament the most anticipated charity tournament in the Farmington Valley area.
Salin stated "Nancy has helped the Club grow in service to community. She is "Service Above Self personified."
Starting next year, the award will be known as the Nancy Nation Lifetime of Service Above Self Award. Each recipient will be able to designate to which community organization they would like the Club to give $1,000.
Perfect Attendance Awards: '14 -'15
Left to Right: Gary Miller, Salin Low, Robin DiNicola, Sue Budde, Ann Clark, Les Zinner and Tom Voorhees. A Perfect Attendance Award was also earned by Evan Cooper.
Recognition of Membership Milestones
Left to Right: Gary Miller, Phil Worley, Larry Sullivan, Joanne Santiago, Dale Bronson, Kay Kellogg, Vaughan Young, Les Zinner, Ted Cowles, Tom Voorhees and Salin Low.
5 Years: Alan Nasson, Vaughan Young
10 Years: Dale Bronson, Paul Cioffari, Scott Nardozzi, Les Zinner
15 Years: Phil Worley
20 Years; Salin Low
25 Years: Ted Cowles, Kay Kellogg, Paul Mikkelson, Joanne Santiago
30 Years: Larry Sullivan
35 Years: Tom Voorhees
Installation of 2015-2016 Officers
Left to Right: District Governor Kyong Wilson, Foundation Vice Chair Mike McGovern, Don Bonner, Gary Miller, Gary Hyde and Robin DiNicola.
The following officers were sworn in by Rotary Foundation Vice Chair Mike McGovern and District Governor Kyong Wilson:
President: Gary Miller
President Elect: Don Bonner
Secretary: Robin DiNicola
Treasurer: Gary Hyde
Sgt-At-Arms: Michael Mezheritskiy
Outgoing President Salin Low thanked Devra Sisitsky and Evan Cooper for having served as At Large Board Members. Salin asserted that "both contributed a lot to the Board."
Thank You, President Salin
Lisa Barall-Matt, this year's Immediate Past President, thanked Outgoing President Salin for presiding over the Club in '14-'15. She presented Salin with her Past President's Pin, the traditional President's Gavel and a gift card.
Hello, President Gary
Newly installed President Gary Miller thanked all of the Rotary dignitaries who travelled many miles to be at the Club's dinner. Gary recollected that he was brought into the Club by Phil Worley. Gary is committing to getting the Club back into Youth Services during his Presidential year. He mentionned Interact and Rotaract. He announced that there will be a new Youth Services Committee. Mike Mezheritskiy, Mike Garcia and Steve Roberto will be members of that committee.
