(from our Club President - Kerry Teskey)
Happy Holidays everyone.
The arrival of December always brings about a certain feeling that is unique to this time of year. There is the joy and anticipation of coming together with friends and family. It’s a time when we can look back at the year that has passed and reflect on all that has changed, and what was accomplished. And it is a time of renewal as we get ready to turn over the calendar to a new year - and the sense of optimism that comes with it.
I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of our club during this past year. Our members have certainly been productive. Some of those accomplishments include the following:
This year, The Rotary Club of Grand bend obtained charitable status with the ability to issue tax receipts to donors.
Our Club instituted a new, modern accounting system and added banking procedures that aligns with the regulatory requirements of that new charitable status.
You held another immensely successful Autumn Indulgence event with unmatched costume participation, fun and financial success - financial success that will be used to do more good in our community.
3 new committees were established this year:
1. Finance Committee,
2. Club Education and Learning Committee, and
3. our new Community Centre Advisory Committee.
We started fundraising for that new Community Centre as a sign of our strong support.
The Arboretum at the new Warner Preserve was started with spring and fall plantings of many different species of native trees, along with the addition of education signage. Proceeds from our club and other sources also built a new entrance to the Preserve and constructed 1.7 km of wheelchair accessible trails this fall. There are plans for an official Grand Opening Ceremony this coming spring.
Peter Warner donated his mint condition, 1932 Plymouth Roadster to our club which was then auctioned off at the world renowned car auction in Hershey, Pennsylvania, with the proceeds going to Rotary.
The 100th container was loaded and shipped to Africa, and we just had a wonderful celebration of that significant milestone.
We gained the membership of seven new outstanding citizens during the past 12 months, and we are at an all-time high in membership and meeting attendance.
And, we as Rotarians - continue to be there - providing compassion and companionship for each other at any time.
What a tremendous year it has been. What a great future we have. And what a joy it is to be able to share time with fellow Rotarians and friends as we work to
make our community a better place.
May you have a Merry Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.
Kerry Teskey
President, Rotary Club of Grand Bend