We closed out 2018 as we always close out the year, with our annual meeting. Required by our bylaws, the annual meeting is a formal way of taking stock of where we are as a club and making preparations for the future.
This year's annual meeting instituted a new tradition, the 3-minute talks by incoming Rotarians pursuing our evening option. (See related story below.) The primary purpose of the meeting, however, was the election of officers and the filling of vacancies on the board by formal ballot.
We are pleased to present:
Lacey Gallagher, President-Elect Nominee (President in 2020-21)
Megan Connors, Treasurer
Rob Rezek, Director
Joann Gogo, Director
Leading by Example
A highlight of the annual meeting this year were the 3-minute talks given by our evening members. They bring wonderful talent and a broad range of experiences to our club.
The five are shown here, flanked by President Todd Neighbor and newly elected Director Joann Gogo. Dani Grebe is an architect employed at L’Heureux Page Warner. Zach Swartz is Associate Vice President for Application Support with DADCO. Eric Hinebauch runs his own insurance business. Leon Green III is retired military who has chosen Great Falls for his home. Heather Palermo is Director of Lifelong Learning with Great Falls College MSU.
The five new members join Jen Creed, Eric Hinebauch’s wife, and Saniel Clary, Rob Rezek’s wife, who gave their 3-minute talks at the duck races in November. In quantity and especially in quality, the evening members are adding a lot to Rotary Club of Great Falls!
This week's "bulletin bucks" number is #140. If that is the number on the back of your Rotary button, you are the lucky winner of a $25 cash card. See Todd Neighbor to pick up your prize!
This Week at Rotary
This week we'll get an update on Montana's Department of Justice from Brian Lockerbie. Shake off those post-holiday doldrums and join us at noon at the country club!
Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow ...
Since last we met as a club, three of our valued members said their final farewells to loved ones who have also made a tremendous impact on the community we call home.
Leslie Thomas, daughter of Rotarian Bob Oakland and mother of Rotarian Cooper Thomas, was memorialized at the Civic Center on December 29. Rotarians were in abundance at the ceremony and two Rotarians, Bob Norbie and Dave Crum, offered eloquent remembrances of Leslie. Mansfield Theater was packed with people whose lives have been touched by this remarkable woman.
Dick Bennett, perpetually smiling local businessman and community servant, also left this world behind him over the holidays. His daughter, Cari Yturri, is our President-elect. In her smile, her gracious and considerate nature, and her can-do involvement in community affairs, she is very much like her father. Great Falls can be assured that she will carry on the Bennett tradition of community service.
Bob, Cooper, and Cari ... may the warmth of your memories and your pride in their accomplishments comfort you as you face life without these wonderful loved ones.
Milestones
January has been a good month for recruiting Rotarians. The following Rotarians celebrate anniversaries this month:
Ken Munski - 31 years
Tom Nelson - 16 years
Shannon Hoiland - 14 years
Channing Hartelius - 13 years
Thanks to all of you for all these years of service above self!
Weekly Wisdom
The final wisdom of life requires not the annulment of incongruity but the achievement of serenity within and above it.
Reinhold Niebuhr
One of the best things about living in Montana is the constant, unexpected reminder that, busy as we are making a living, making a life, and making an impact, the greatest satisfaction lies in stillness, in serenity, in being grateful and being graceful.
