A Message from the Club President

In just 100 years, Rotary has grown from a small club of four members to a worldwide network of men and women who share a common vision for a better world.  The world's first service organization, Rotary has a long history of helping those in need and uniting people of different cultures and beliefs.  Through the work of individual Rotary clubs, and through the programs of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation, Rotary is making the world a better place.

The Rotary Club of Brandon South was founded in 1991.  We are a group of women and men who live or work in the Brandon area and actively participate in the betterment of our community and the world. If you are interested in making a difference in your community, join us on Wednesdays for lunch!

It is an honor and a privilege to serve again as the 2008-2009 President of the Rotary Club of Brandon South.

President's Message at 2008 Installation Ceremony:

As most of you know, public speaking is not my favorite thing…and it would be easier for me to stand up here and sing a capella, as opposed to speak, but I will save your ears this evening from my singing and give you a short message about the past year and look to the future year as your president.

Well, this year I have the distinct pleasure of once again serving the Brandon South Rotary Club as President.  It is truly an awesome, albeit time-consuming, honor that my peers have bestowed upon me. 

Around this time last year, I had already taken the helm as interim president.  I was the newest Rotary member and although I had certainly memorized the 4 way test (since we tend to pick on the newbies), I learned quickly as president, my need to utilize the Four Way Test.  It is with the advice and help of my fellow Rotarians that “our little club that could” became more organized, well-attended, and the club we all want to be a part of.

We were tasked with the theme of “Rotary Shares” and share we have this year.  We have shared rotary with our community’s children through the dictionary project, judging student exhibits at the Florida State Fair, and the Back to School program where we give underprivileged children new socks and underwear for the school year. 

We have shared the ideals of rotary to help end hunger by helping ECHO, our local nonprofit food pantry, and we have shared Rotary internationally by raising funds and volunteering our time to wonderful projects such as Project CURE.  We continue to share rotary with each other and our families by getting together for lunch each week and participating in social settings with our peers and friends. We have shared Rotary throughout our group and district by staying heavily involved and active in these groups. We have shared rotary with our community by DOUBLING our membership, not a small feat…We will continue to share rotary each day and for many years to come.

Have we reached all of our goals, almost….and we are certainly on the right track, and have passed several surprising milestones…ones that others may have thought impossible just a few years ago. 

I have the distinct pleasure of serving with some of the most wonderful people in the community ---- my peers, my friends at Brandon South Rotary.  

Our club of 15 members is not a small club --- we are an extension of the family of Rotary, the oldest international service club in the world with 1.2 Million members. 

These members are spread all over the world in over 32,000 clubs that meet weekly with similar goals and interests. All Rotarians are linked in promoting the ideals of Rotary and encouraging high ethical standards in business and professions that give us the opportunity to serve society. Rotarians are advancing international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Each of our clubs is unique in how it interprets the object/ideals of rotary.  This is what makes us so powerful.  Each club uses their time, their talent, and their resources to change outcomes for people of the world. The uniqueness of Brandon South certainly stands out in our community.

Where else can you sign up to go and administer polio plus immunization to children in 3rd world countries and then next week be participating in a literacy project in your home community, or have an excuse to wear a fabulous hat on Sunday afternoon while raising funds for the community? The reach of each Rotary club is phenomenal. 

I am pleased to have been part of a Rotary year in which our club was recognized by the Foundation for per-capita giving in the District; for attendance, which is always HIGH; from the RI Presidents, as we received our Presidential Citation this year; AND one I know we are most proud of ….the District Governor’s Award for Best All Around Club.  We had a heck of a year, and it's only going to get better in our club!

We are asked this year to “Make Dreams Real”.  When I think of this phrase, I think of many ways our club can do this.  With a renewed sense of purpose and focus in our projects, we can make dreams real for children and adults in need, both next door and across the globe.  I believe we can do it. I know we will do it.  And I am glad to have each of you on the journey and on the team  to create a better world.

So I would ask each of you to share your skills, your time, your leadership abilities, your dedication and your resources to advance international understanding, goodwill and peace through a world fellowship. 

What we do now makes a tremendous imprint in the history of this club.  We will continue in the spirit of those who have served before us and make the dreams of future Rotarians real in the coming years.

This year, we will continue to grow our membership and start a Brandon South Rotary Foundation.

So tonight, I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes by Ralph Waldo Emerson, that exemplifies this past year and with hope, the upcoming year as well….

Do not follow where the path may lead…go instead, where there is no path…and leave a trail”

Thank you for celebrating Rotary tonight!!!!