On June 17, we celebrated the successes of the 2021-22 Rotary Year - it was a busy year. And, we got a glimpse into what is to come for the 2022-23 Rotary Year.
Lincoln South Rotary Club President for 2021-22, DeEtta Vrana, took us through a review of the Rotary Year. And, what a year we had!
 
She highlighted the year using pictures and stories and sharing what the year meant to her.
 
We were able to change to meeting in person as the pandemic eased. A new club service team was assembled - Bob who sets up each meeting, Tom and Chan who process payments and track participation and Clay for his technical support. 
 
DeEtta brought back Member Moments and added the presentation of a photo monthly from Nebraska Thru the Lens (click here to view those photos).
 
Early in the year the club had a corporate sponsor for a special President's Award and we honored Zaineb Aljumayaat with a $1,000 grant to attend design school. We learned about Zaineb from news stories about a duct tape prom dress that she designed.
 
Through the Lincoln South Rotary Club Foundation we provided support to The Hub and The White Cane organization. And, using District Grant matching funds we supported the Free Little Pantries and Early Head Start.
 
Additional support was provided through a Blanket Drive for the People's City Mission, Food Drive to support the Food Bank of Lincoln Lancaster County and used eyeglasses collected to an eye clinic in Kenya. We also provided financial support for health care and food to the rural areas in the country of Georgia.
 
We continued our regular projects - Trails Clean Up as well as Meals on Wheels which was expanded to add a 2nd route.
 
With the other clubs in Lincoln we participated in the Salute to Business honoring TMCO, a blood drive, and the Strike Out Polio event at the Saltdogs.
 
We had record-breaking support of Polio Plus. Not only did we have our Happy $$$ and regular member donations, but we had three members participate in Bike Rides to End polio. Our club members donated to The Rotary Foundation above our goal (94% of our members contributed). This year the donations included funds to support disaster relief for Ukraine.
 
We held a Holiday Social event for the first time in a couple of years.
 
And, a strategic planning session was held to help us focus on the financial health of the club.
 
DeEtta thanked Mark Schwaninger, Editor of The Neighborhood Extra. There have been 16 news stories including Lincoln South Rotary and our Members this Rotary Year.
 
Pointing out our variety of exciting programs this year, DeEtta named Maxine Moul as the Rotarian of The Year.
 
DeEtta presented some personal gifts to those that helped with the success of the year.
 
The official Rotary President Lapel Pin (with a diamond) was presented to Matt Horak along with the meeting gavel.
 
Matt presented DeEtta with her official past President gavel, Rotary Lapel Pin and Name Badge.
 
Matt shared the new Rotary Theme - Imagine Rotary. He listed the Club Leadership for 2022-23 as well as some of the goals.
 
To see more photos of the event - click here.
To view the power point presented during the meeting - click here.