TUESDAY, June 28, 2005

Calendar of Events

Last Week: Awards night

This week: Installation of Officers

Next Week: Club Assembly—programs and budget for 2005—2006

Events Coming Up:

July 9, 10: Air Show—selling souvenirs

July 12 and 19: New Member Nights

July 26: Visit from our new District Governor, Sam Hall

Suggestions for future programs may be given to Rey Whetten or Linda LeTendre

Invocation: Garry Morrow, Dan Stec or Bob Youmans

Our inspiring evening continued with President Steve awarding Doc Garrison his 54 year pin for 54 years of perfect attendance, stating, “A significant part of Rotary is commitment; commitment to a set of ideals and a commitment of your personal time, talents and individual resources. Our founding member has provided us shinning examples of commitment in all of these areas. This area which is truly unique , and can only be emulated by a few, is his unwavering and consistent attendance at meetings.”

The BHBL Rotarian of 2005 Award goes to a Rotarian who had the greatest impact on one of the four avenues of service or had the greatest impact on improving our club, or gave an extraordinary amount of time and energy to worth club goals or a combination of all of these. This year this award went to Dick O’Rourke, who in addition to his numerous and significant contributions to the community through volunteer work in many local organizations, was recognized because he, “revitalized and ran the Rotateller program...making a distinctive contribution to our club, and ultimately to our mission. The Rotateller “is a wonderful thing to give visiting district officials, guests and potential new members...representing with accuracy and style who we are and what we do. The Rotateller is a source of pride for our club, and it is a centerpiece of our internal communications and historical record keeping. In addition to his Rotary activities, Dick has been on the Charlton School Board of Trustees, serves as Secretary for the School’s Executive Committee, is Chairman of the Personnel Committee and serves on the BHBL School Foundation.

The BHBL Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Peter W. Farrell by Paul Lewandowski. This is a annual award presented to a community member that best exemplifies service above self. The name of the winner will be placed on a plaque in the BHBL Library and a $100 will be given to the charity of the winner’s choice. Peter Farrell purchased Doc Garrison’s veterinary business. He organizes and leads the BHBL Follies, a very large program that runs a talent shop performance at the high school. He raises money for “Friends of Music.” He leads the High School Volleyball Booster Club, raising money for the teams and he takes the players to tournaments. At the United Methodist Church he is the organizer of the BH Coffee House, arranging logistics and musical performances.

The BHBL Doc Garrison Lifetime Service Award was given to Bill Sewell. In presenting the award, President Steve stated that this award was established “to recognize special members of our cub who live up to the highest ideals of Rotary both in word and deed and have done so year-in and year-out, over a very long period of time. Recipients of this award have shaped our club, made a significant positive impact on our community and its people and contributed to Rotary and its world-wide mission. Veteran Rotarians like this live a life of Rotary ideals, are an inspiration to all of us, and are a model for all of us to strive to emulate. This award is meant to be one of the highest honors we can bestow on one of our own. Bill Sewell’s life personifies all this award stands for. He has participated in organizations and activities that are people oriented, that work to help others at all levels of society and throughout the world, which if listed would fill the entire newsletter). He’s been a truly great Rotarian; his compassion and service as a public servant are legendary. As an educator he has enriched the lives of thousands of our young people and strengthened our community and the nation His leadership in community affairs enhanced the health, safety and welfare for citizens in area towns and Saratoga County. He has continually supported community events and charities. Bill Sewell is truly a special Rotarian. He is a truly compassionate and effective leader in the areas of education, human services and public policy. Listing dozens of these activities, Steve concluded saying, “I’ve met many men and women with great physical and mental skills, but who never applied their skills so well in caring and serving others. It is the ethical and moral dimension of your life, a creative use of your vast talents in loving your neighbor that has made you the remarkable man you are.”

Congratulations to these exceptional Rotarians

from everyone in the BHBL Rotary Club

Assistant Governor, Dan Stec began the evening by noting that “Rotary is noted for giving awards for Rotarians who give above and beyond.” In addition, some awards, such as the Presidential Citation, are given to outstanding Clubs as a whole. Our club is honored to be receiving both kinds this year. Dan said that he and Steve have been notified that a very prestigious award is to be given to recognize the work of the one person who has done an outstanding job with membership for the club, the Chairman of our Membership Committee—Ron Serapilio.

In addition, Dan Stec announced that the Burnt Hills—Ballston Lake Rotary Club is this years recipient of the Presidential Citation. This is a total club award. Dan reported that this year all 6 clubs in zone 5 received a Presidential Citation. The award reads, “The 2004—2005 Presidential Citation to Celebrate Rotary is awarded to the Rotary Club of Burnt Hills—Ballston Lake for demonstrating excellence and exceptional achievement to ensure Rotary’s transition from one century of service to another through continued efforts in club, vocational, community and international service.” This award to our club comes from the current President of Rotary International, Glenn Estes who wrote, “For all your club activities…...” This is an award which honors the club, and in which each member working in each of our committees

and in our community and international outreach activities can feel a special, individual pride.

President Steve followed with another surprise. Praising the amazing generosity of our members, he went listed the following interesting information regarding RI’s Annual Programs Fund. Among other things, $100 helps provide cataract operations for three blind individuals in India. $500 provides carpentry tools for a vocational workshop that trains 150 deaf children per year in Gambia. $$1,000 helps provide materials to construct a deep bore well in India, supplying water to more than 300 people. $5,000 provides funds to fully vaccinate 10,000 children against polio.

Steve unveiled the gifting poster, showing that our club has contributed $4,809 for 2004-2005!
What an amazing gift to the world from a small club with a big heart!

(This week’s contributing reporter—Gini Whetten)