Reported by Margaret Curtis
President Sara Pantin called her last regular meeting to order with mostly supportive heckling
from Past President Barry Curlee. Natalie Hester led us in the pledges, James Gavin delivered a
spot-on invocation (from Mother Teresa), and new member Maxie DeBlanc led us in the Four Way Test. Also a new member, Buck Cole, introduced visiting Rotarians from California and right here in Austin, but we were short on other guests today (probably the rain). Bill Baker started greeting at the top of the stairs (brakes on!!), then handed off to Carl Noble.
Jill Johnson moved from Red Badge to Blue, with commendation for her speed and efficiency
in getting there Now, Jill, let the real Rotary games begin! Sharon Golden was surprised with a Paul Harris Fellowship from the Club for her extraordinary effort on our large Bangalore Literacy Global Grant.
Past President/ ARC Foundation Chair Meade Bauer recognized two new Major Donors of Rotary International’s Foundation: President Sara Pantin and Rick Ravel. (Major Donors have given a cumulative $10K or more to RI.) We also recognized David Palmer and Don Tompkins for achieving Major Donor status, although neither were present. Hearty and sincere thanks to each of you for your generosity!
It being the end of the 2017-18 Rotary year, Sara shared some positive statistics of her year as President, then she invited all the Club Vice Presidents up to the podium and each delivered inspiring summations of a big year of service. This reporter cannot do justice, so please read a copy of the Club’s Annual Report (thank you Jackie Sinex)!
Mark Johnson (VP Membership Service) reported 33 new members, and additional applications are in the works. We have an increase in younger members, and more women, befitting a growing dynamic club. Thank you for your service with Membership: Jack Wolfe, Jim Bryce and Andy Swanson!
Mary Reynolds (VP Community Service) reported on literacy activities, EAFK (EarlyActFirstKnight) character building, Interact Clubs and assistance at schools Dawson, Pecan Springs, Fulmore (Sherry Workman) and Paragon (Liz Ingersoll). Don’t forget Operation Vacation served 12 military families! Scholarship chair Jim Gdula detailed scholarships totaling $57,300 awarded to 14 HS seniors this
year.
Laraine Lasdon (VP Global Service) re-focused us to “Be the Inspiration” in global service, local and self
improvement, all of which are interconnected. (see the article on Bruce Rassin, RI President Elect, in the July Rotarian magazine).
Leslie Bagby (VP Vocational Service) thanked her committee chairs Charles Doty, Michele Heyman, Ann Graham and Richard Payton for breakfast cluster meetings, another outstanding Camp Enterprise, and the MasterMind meetings (which could use wider understanding ?!?).
Michael Abelson (VP Club Service) said his year was a snap thanks to strong committee chairs: Jackie Sinex (newsletter reporting), Tillery Castillo (4 major social events), Don Busby (newsletter sponsorships), Myron Burse (weekly hospitality), Phil Thoden (Presidential Citation), Michael
Portman (wine tastings) and Harold Ingersoll (programs).
Thank you, President Sara, and all Club Members for an inspiring and productive year!