Over 50 of our 76 Rotarians congregated, celebrated, and cheered Rotary’s annual changeover of presidents, this year from Alice Mutch to Rick Elder. Rotary all over the world transfers leadership in every Rotary gathering around this earth, as of July 1 annually.

President Alice thanked Mike Thompson for his 17 years on the Rotary board and honored Mike his fourth Paul Harris Fellow award (PHF, named after one of four of Rotary International founders and first president, in 1905). Each PHF required one thousand dollars, used to help people locally and globally. Service Above Self and Rotarian of the Year awards will be presented on July 11. There is no meeting on July 4.

Alice picked Chip, Daren and Patty as judges for the photo of the year award depicting “The Spirit of Rotary.” Judy deGraw and Laurie Zimmerli made pitches for the opportunities to donate to Rotary’s across the globe services. Thousands and dollars are donated through peoples’ will or IRAs. Alice pointed out, through an IRA payable-on-death account, donations are easy and painless. Mike Thompson thanked Rotarians for donating to the Rotary shed that we will attach to the Rotary barn, which will soon house the Bikes for Summer Workers Project.

Alice looked back on her fun year as president: “What a pleasure for me to steer the boat; the rest of you navigated and we landed at a great place. Rick will now navigate us to a new destination.” Alice showered many awards and thanks, but none more than to her own navigator, Andy Mutch. Mutch and Elder each have their own tremendous talents and varied leadership styles, which strengthens Rotary tremendously each year. Now, Alice is past president, Rick is president, Irene is president-elect, Jeff Long is vice president, Brian McGrath is club treasurer, Bill Prince is foundation treasurer, Laurie Zimmerli is secretary, Jean Huber is executive secretary, and at-large board members are Tory Paxson, Debbie Graves and Fleet Davies.

Rick announced “Rotary Connects the World” as the theme for this year. President of Rotary International, Mark Maloney, likewise serves for only a one-year term. The best way to contact Rick most days is his home email, on our club website, and he promises to try his best to return email each evening after his very full-time work schedule.

“Back by little to no demand,” were the Rotations, a singing group started in 2018. They sang a song to the tune of “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie, which triggered gales of laughter and fun, as the meeting closed on an incredibly high note. Here’s the final (of five) stanzas: “Now it’s time to close the door/ To Alice’s Restaurant/Welcome Rick with a great big roar/ To be our new president/Now that your leg is out of the cast/This next year will be a blast/You will lead us with flags unfurled/As Rotary connects to the world!”