On July 7, we celebrated Lincoln South Rotary Club moving from the 2022-23 Rotary Year to 2023-24. Matt reviewed the year's activities and successes and Mary introduced us to the focus for next year.
Matt shared highlights of the impact that the club has in our local community and around the world. He included photos and stories about:
- Jenny Cardwell and Vi See traveling to Poland to support the Operation Safe Harbour Ukraine project
- Through the Club Foundation grant, support the Willard Community Center with a $1,000 grant for improvements of the playground
- Rotary recognized Health Care Worker Week, providing an evening meal for volunteers at Clinic With A Heart
- Salute to Business to honor Sampson Construction
- Provided trees in low- moderate-income neighborhoods with District Grant Matching Funds, partnered with Lincoln Parks and Recreation and the Arbor Day Foundation
- Purchased items for three needy families at Christmas coordinated through Randolph Elementary School
- Holiday lunch donations to the Food Bank.
- New scholarship program to have more impact; this year partnered with Bryan College of Health Sciences to identify student candidates and provided a $5,000 scholarship
- Ongoing projects which include Meals on Wheels deliver, Trail Clean Up and annual distribution of dictionaries to elementary students in Lincoln
- Matt also highlighted the District Conference, Club Programs and Member Moments throughout the 2022-23 Rotary Year
- Giving to The Rotary Foundation:
- $17,061 Annual Fund Contributions (goal of $14,000)
- $371 Annual Fund Per Capita (best in last 5 years)
- $3,202 Polio Pus Contributions ($2,500 goal)
He thanked Nikki Isemann for, not only returning to Rotary, but sponsoring 4 new members during the 2022-23 Rotary Year.
Matt thanked the Club Service Team Members (Bob Vrana, Chan Tyrrell, Clay Ehlers, John Herdman and Tom Hyde) and presented each with a significant lapel pin.
Suzanne Tyrrell was named The Rotarian of the Year for her work as Membership Chair.
Matt turned the podium over to Mary Gilbride. She presented the new Rotary International Them - Create Hope In The World. She presented these areas of focus:
- Engage
- Encourage members to participate in at least one club project or event
- Encourage members to attend meetings regularly and to participate in district opportunities
- Express to the Community
- The impact of Rotary in our community and the world by engaging in service projects.
- Our commitment to “Create Hope in the World.”
- Enlighten
- Continue to highlight our members
- Continue to engage informative and inspiring speakers
- Enroll
- Invite new members into the Club
- Maintain and enhance the vibrancy of our Club as we assimilate our new members
- Enjoy
- Have fun!
- Encourage social and fundraising events
For additional photos - click here.