On June 19, 2026 Lincoln South Rotary Club held our Annual Meeting with the Changing of the Guard.
Here are the slides that Syd provided:
A few additional photos from the day:
Copied below is Syd's script:
Isn’t it interesting, these two things, the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer of service, could be uncomfortable for some. We say “under God with liberty and justice for all” but somehow we feel that a simple prayer of thanks and direction might be objectionable.? Hmmmm… something to think about. I remember when I first joined, Bob asked me if I would like to do the prayer. I said sure, I had done it many times in Aurora. Little did I know you weren’t expecting a prayer from the heart but from one of the cards in the packet. I’m surprised I didn’t get fired right then and there.
Year in Review: To start, I think we need to remember where we were a year ago.
No president on July 1.
Club survey uncovered several ideas for change:
More social events / meet and eat.
Expand our service.
Do a better job of engaging new and old members.
Should we change our meeting schedule / combine with another club?
WE decided to not change.
I was contacted by Joe. He said we should meet for coffee. IT was a dark and stormy night at Scooters. We met in the back room. All blacked out except a single table where a single bare light bulb hanging down from above. HE said “Have I got a deal for you!!” The next thing I knew was that I was going to be the club President for 25-26. WE are a meet and eat club! Rotary has always had the idea that the meeting should be for 1 hour. Show up at noon, grab your dinner, sit down and talk to those next to you for about 10 minutes, the program starts and we are out of here at 1:00. As a new member, how do you ever get to know the others in our club in that 10 minutes? …. I’m sure I didn’t even know all of the members by their right names! I was familiar with my old club in Aurora – about 30 members. Should be about the same…right? No!! Different history – different goals and objectives. So we started….
Power point? A couple of weeks ago I get an email from Nicki….How are you coming with your Changing of the Guard presentation? I have attached a copy of the last 2 years C of the G for your review. PowerPoints! Being in business for almost 40 years…I had never put together a PowerPoint! I thought I would just make some comments about the year….I get another email from Nicki about a week ago….how are your coming with the PowerPoint! So…I put together a PowerPoint. Not perfect but you will get the general idea.
Leadership: Not only the board.
Bob and DeEtta,
so many on Happy Dollars,
John pictures, Woman in pickleball court?
Joe. Encouragement,
Nicki newsletter/Facebook/Journal,
Brad…probably the only person who listened to me….he brought a cookie cake!
Service
Social: Memorial Stadium tour and social. Christmas party.
New members!
Numerous interesting programs. Thanks for coordinators.
Salute to Business
District awards
New Paul Harris Fellows and numerous additional Paul Harris Fellow recognitions throughout the year.
Rotarian of the year: So many of you deserve the award. By jumping in with cold feet this year…I have relied on many of you for your input and direction. One person has definitely stood out. Have you ever noticed…the smoother things run in our club…the less we notice why that is…. WE owe a lot of gratitude to this years recipient of the Rotarian of the Year to Nicki Klein, our club secretary.
AS I look back over this year, I don’t see myself so much as the President but more as the custodian. Trying to make all the pieces fit for a smooth effective club. My view of service is to do it when it needs to be done, not have to be asked, not need my picture taken showing I did it. That what service means to me.
Tami, I yield the floor to you are President Elect for 26-27.