2004-2005 LAFAYETTE ROTARY CLUB IN REVIEW
Annual Dinner Information by Tom Schmidt May 10, 2005
"Celebrate Rotary" is the message of this year long theme as proclaimed by Rotary International President Glenn Estess at the International Rotary Convention in Osaka, Japan.
We have celebrated Rotary in our community by committing to raising funds for the Brown Street Bridge Overlook in a Centennial project in conjunction with the City of West Lafayette, Lafayette Daybreak Rotary Club as a part of the Wabash River Walk Project. This project will have special emphasis on May 31 when the dedication takes place.
What joy we experienced at the Centennial Birthday Party on February 23, 2005 at the Tippecanoe County Fair grounds. We will remember chili and hot dogs, pasta and desserts, fellowship and fun, and the air of excitement that filled an evening of birthday celebration as Rotary turned 100 years old.
Serving the community has been an expression of the heart of our club. Bringing in food for community outreach programs, ringing bells for the Salvation Army, packing and delivering holiday packages for the Women's Shelter, joining with 300 others to paint the Glenn Acres Elementary School red, no beige and dark green, giving smiles and security to children at Shots Not Spots, hosting at the job fair in the Purdue Research Park, giving scholarships to vocational college and high school students, presenting the "Service Above Self Award" to Liz Solberg, providing camper scholarships to many children in our community and other ways to serve.
Who can forget the many presentations of challenging and enlightening programs through out the year? Institutional conflicts, physical embattlements, Social Security concerns, community based programs and ways to impact our every day life.
And Qudrat, a little Afghanistan boy, who touched our hearts and made us feel joy, hope and love for the Gift of Life. Then to share in despair with his untimely death as soldiers, family and friends wept with grief.
We face the challenges of a service club closing in on 89 years of age. Attendance, participation, increased membership, financial support, mission, direction and other issues are being considered for resolution.
We celebrate Rotary's one hundred years with club members dedicated to serving the local club and the community. We are a blessed Rotary Club with capable leadership and dedicated service. Jane Turner continues to follow the spirit of service exemplified in Griff's tenure as Executive Secretary. To every Board of Director, Executive Committee Member, Lafayette Foundation Officer and Committee Chair; a big thank you is in order. Thank you for serving.
Celebrate Rotary is more than a theme, it is a way to experience the joys of serving our fellow humanity. To each of us, let us serve our community and the world through a dedication of caring, compassion and creativity. Celebrate Rotary!